The role of actin in cell homeostasis

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Cells of all organisms receive signals that must be responded to. It is important for cells to co-ordinate different signalling pathways so they can perform their correct functions. Research in my laboratory uses a simple one-celled organism as a model system. Many processes are known to happen in the same way in this cell-type and in cells of more complex organisms such as mammals. We are particularly interested in the function of one protein called actin. Actin is part of a structure called the cytoskeleton (meaning cell skeleton) that helps give a cell its shape. Unlike a human skeleton however, actin is dynamic and constantly rearranging. We propose that this dynamic quality allows actin to act as a sensor of the cell environment to assess energy levels and whether the cell is under stress. If the environment is good, then cell processes can go ahead. If actin cannot function due to low energy or because it is modified by oxidants it can cause cells to enter a cell death pathway. While this is a fundamental cell biology problem, knowing how cells respond to stress impacts on our understanding of ageing and on disorders including neurodegeneration and cancer.