G. M. Alushin

Fascin structural plasticity mediates flexible actin bundle construction

This study investigates how fascin's structural plasticity enables flexible actin bundle formation through cryo-EM, tomography, and modeling.

A platform for dissecting force sensitivity and multivalency in actin networks

This paper develops an in vitro platform to study how mechanical forces affect actin-binding protein interactions in multi-filament networks, revealing that force enhances -catenin binding to small filament bundles.

Actin nucleotide state modulates the F-actin structural landscape evoked by bending forces

This study shows bending forces induce structural changes in F-actin that depend on its nucleotide state, with phosphate stabilizing subunit conformations and altering the structural landscape.

Structural mechanism for bi-directional actin crosslinking by T-plastin

Cryo-EM, biochemical, and cellular studies reveal how the crosslinking protein T-plastin bridges actin filaments in two opposing orientations.

Myosin-driven Nucleation of Actin Filaments Drives Stereocilia Development Critical for Hearing

This study identifies a mutation in MYO15 that disrupts actin nucleation at stereocilia tips, causing hearing loss by impairing stereocilia growth.

Structural basis for tunable control of actin dynamics by myosin-15 in mechanosensory stereocilia

This paper presents cryo-EM structures of myosin-15 bound to F-actin, revealing how mutations affect actin polymerization and stereocilia elongation.

Mechanosensing through direct binding of tensed F-actin by LIM domains

The paper identifies LIM domains' direct binding to tensed F-actin as a mechanosensing mechanism, showing force-dependent sequestration affects nuclear localization.

Molecular mechanism for direct actin force-sensing by α-catenin

This study shows that force on F-actin enhances E-catenin binding but not vinculin, revealing a modular mechanism for force-sensing by α-catenin.