R. D. Mullins

On the critical concentration for net assembly of dynamically unstable polymers

The paper derives expressions for critical concentrations of dynamically unstable polymers, showing how nucleotide hydrolysis and spontaneous nucleation rates affect their assembly.

The molecular mechanism of load adaptation by branched actin networks

This study investigates how applied forces affect branched actin network assembly, revealing that force alters nucleation and capping rates, increasing network density through a Brownian Ratchet mechanism.

Optogenetic control of cell morphogenesis on protein micropatterns

This study uses optogenetic activation and micropatterning to control cell protrusion morphology by manipulating adhesion geometry and cytoskeletal dynamics.

LC3 and STRAP regulate actin filament assembly by JMY during autophagosome formation

The paper shows that LC3 and STRAP regulate JMY's actin assembly during autophagy, with LC3 activating JMY and STRAP inhibiting it.

Cryo-EM structure of the bacterial actin AlfA reveals unique assembly and ATP-binding interactions and the absence of a conserved subdomain

The paper reports the cryo-EM structure of AlfA, a bacterial actin, revealing unique ATP-binding interactions and a missing subdomain that explain its distinct assembly dynamics and plasmid segregation function.

Three-dimensional actin-based protrusions of migrating neutrophils are intrinsically lamellar and facilitate direction changes

This study uses lattice light sheet microscopy to analyze three-dimensional neutrophil pseudopods, revealing their lamellar structure and role in directional changes.

Bacterial Microtubules Exhibit Polarized Growth, Mixed-Polarity Bundling, and Destabilization by GTP Hydrolysis

This study characterizes bacterial microtubules (bMTs) from Prosthecobacter, showing polarized growth, mixed-polarity bundling, and GTP-dependent destabilization, suggesting ancestral eukaryotic tubulin dynamics.

WASP and SCAR are evolutionarily conserved in actin-filled pseudopod-based motility

The paper identifies WASP and SCAR as conserved genes involved in actin-filled pseudopod-based motility across eukaryotes, supported by functional and evolutionary evidence.