In vitro Fluorescence Imaging–based Actin Bundling Assay

Abstract

Understanding the molecular and structural mechanisms that govern the assembly and organization of higher-order actin architecture requires the use of in vitro actin binding and bundling assays. Crosslinking of actin filaments into bundles can be monitored in vitro via several techniques, including negative staining/electron microscopy, low-speed co-sedimentation assay/SDS-PAGE, and fluorescence staining/confocal microscopy. We and others have previously characterized the N-BAR domain of ASAP1, an ADP-ribosylation factor GTPase-activating protein, as an actin-bundling module; we further identified key lysine residues responsible for actin cross-linking. Here, we use the ASAP1 BAR domain as an example and describe a detailed procedure for observing the actin bundle formation by confocal microscopy. This protocol requires small reaction volumes and takes advantage of bright commercially available fluorescent phalloidins, making it an ideal choice for medium-throughput screening of mutants or domain truncations in their ability to bundle actin.Graphical abstract: