Why the study?
Myo19 regulates mitochondrial homeostasis and mitoER contact sites, but little is known about the regulatory mechanisms governing its function.
Non-muscle tropomyosins provide a spatial and temporal regulatory mechanism for Myo19 activity by inhibiting its interaction with mitochondrially associated actin filaments.
Myosin-19 (Myo19) is a mitochondrially localized actin-based motor important for regulating mitochondrial homeostasis, including the stabilization of mitochondrial-endoplasmic reticulum (mitoER) contact sites. Thus, proper regulation of Myo19 is likely required to maintain mitochondrial health and function, but little is known about regulatory mechanisms. Non-muscle tropomyosins are known to differentially regulate members of the myosin superfamily, leading us to hypothesize that tropomyosins may regulate Myo19-actin filament interactions. Here, we show that the interaction of Myo19 with actin filaments is inhibited by the association of Tropomyosin 3.1 (Tpm3.1) and 1.7 (Tpm1.7) with F-actin. This inhibition is highly cooperative, as both Tpm isoforms induce an all-or-none stalling of Myo19-driven filaments in in vitro gliding assays. In HeLa cells, Tpm3.1 is associated with actin filaments in close proximity to mitochondria. This localization is dynamic, as Tpm3.1 interacts with the mitochondrially-associated actin wave in interphase cells. These findings point toward a tropomyosin-based regulatory mechanism that spatially regulates Myo19 activity in a dynamic manner.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
A 2026 study studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: