The actin cytoskeleton provides force for a number of dynamic cellular processes, including migration, morphogenesis, adhesion, and endocytosis. Abnormalities in these actin-driven processes are also typical in many pathological disorders, such as cancer. In the experiments described in this proposal, we will apply a combination of structural biology, biochemistry and cell biology approaches to uncover the molecular principles by which two central actin monomer -binding proteins, twinfilin and CAP, accelerate actin filament disassembly and actin monomer recycling in cells. Collectively, these studies will provide fundamental new information on the general mechanisms that control cytoskeletal dynamics in eukaryotes.

2019

2023