3-2. Researchers have recently published that glioma cells (brain cancer) displa
ID: 133465 • Letter: 3
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3-2. Researchers have recently published that glioma cells (brain cancer) display an upregulation of CapG protein. CapG is an actin capping protein that resembles gelsolin. CapG is overexpressed (more than normal protein levels) in glioma cells. a. The figure below shows how different amounts of CapG in a cell can influence cell migration Cells are grown until they evenly cover the bottom of a petri dish. Then, cells are scraped off and allowed to fill n the hole which simulates wound healing. Pictures were taken after 4 hours (first row) and 24 hours (second row). Next, researchers monitor how many cells flls in the hole after 24 hours (second row below). Analyze the figure below. Compare cell migration (how well the cells filled in the gap) between cells depleted of CapG and cells that overexpress CapG. Rubric (2): Correct comparison of the amount of migration observed in CapG depleted cells when compared with cells overexpressing CapG Depleted Depleted CapG (less) CapG (less) CapG (more) Control Overexpressed 4 h 24 h b. Explain how actin capping and actin severing could increase cell migration. Rubric (4): cell migration is linked to actin capping (2) and severing of microfilaments (2) c. The image at right shows a migrating cell. Microfilaments are stained with a red florescent marker First, where are the most of the actin filaments located in this cell? Rubric (2: accurate description.Explanation / Answer
Please find the answers below:
Answer a: According to the images, it can be clearly seen that the group of cells with depleted CapG protein shows less or almost diminshed cellular migration. On the other hand, over-expression of this protein is also associated with increase in cellular migration. This clearly suggests that optimized levels of cellular expression of this protein are necessary for cellular migration. However, the control cells demonstrated significant amount of migration. Consequently, it can be deduced that homeostatic levels of expression of these proteins are necessary for normal cellular migration. More is the expression levels of CapG, more is the cellular migration.
Answer b: According to the information, the protein CapG is necessary for capping of the actin head. It is a very well known fact that actin capping is necessary for its stabilization and thus conseqeunt biological function. The strong is the capping, more stabilized is the actin protein, hence leading to robust cellular motility. This is why overexpression of this protein promotes more cellular migration than control. Reversibly, down-regulation in its expression levels are associated with diminished cellular motility, hence migration.
Answer c: Microfilaments are cellular structural proteins associated with intra-cellular cytoplasmic streaming, hence found accumulated in the core of the cell. On the other hand, actin filaments provide not only structural support to the cell but also help in cellular division, hence found almost uniformly spreaded across the cell, especially the peripheral part of plasma membrane.
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