CytoskeletonPub Date : 2026-08-18Epub Date: 2025-07-30DOI: 10.1002/cm.70017
Zhao Xie, Fen Hu, Mingxin Chen, Bo Wang, Jiqiang Li, Shuai Liu, Dan Ding, Imshik Lee, Wei Yin, Leiting Pan
{"title":"Quantitative Characterization of Microtubule Ultrastructure Based on Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy","authors":"Zhao Xie, Fen Hu, Mingxin Chen, Bo Wang, Jiqiang Li, Shuai Liu, Dan Ding, Imshik Lee, Wei Yin, Leiting Pan","doi":"10.1002/cm.70017","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cm.70017","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) enables visualization of cytoskeletal architecture at nanoscale, uncovering ultrastructural details obscured in conventional imaging. In this study, we present a quantitative framework for characterizing microtubule continuity and integrity based on SMLM super-resolution imaging. We first applied this approach to evaluate the effects of various chemical fixation protocols on microtubule structural preservation. While conventional immunofluorescence imaging suggested intact microtubules after paraformaldehyde (PFA) fixation, SMLM revealed substantial fragmentation. To address this, we developed a computational algorithm that quantifies microtubule fragmentation using a defined fragmentation index (FI). Under identical 30-min fixation, quantitative analysis revealed a fragmentation hierarchy: 4% PFA > methanol > 1% glutaraldehyde (GA) ≈ 3% PFA + 0.1% GA, with the PFA-GA combination offering superior structural integrity and minimal background noise. Although prolonged PFA fixation improved preservation, it remained inferior to PFA-GA co-fixation. Notably, even a 10-min PFA-GA treatment was sufficient for effective stabilization. We further applied our framework to quantify microtubule length index (LI) in nocodazole-treated cells, revealing a drug-specific, dose-dependent microtubule disassembly. Together, we develop a quantitative pipeline based on SMLM, which establishes PFA-GA co-fixation as an optimal protocol for microtubule imaging and provides a scalable tool for super-resolution-based pharmacological screening.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55186,"journal":{"name":"Cytoskeleton","volume":"83 8","pages":"547-556"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144746330","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
CytoskeletonPub Date : 2026-08-18Epub Date: 2025-10-31DOI: 10.1002/cm.70062
Changying Wang, Runhan Guo, Xuenan Wang, Hua Li, Tao Zhong
{"title":"Post-Translational Modifications of Tubulin in Oocyte Maturation and Female Infertility","authors":"Changying Wang, Runhan Guo, Xuenan Wang, Hua Li, Tao Zhong","doi":"10.1002/cm.70062","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cm.70062","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Microtubules are critical components of the cytoskeleton that are extensively involved in various cellular and biological processes. The execution of these functions is intricately linked to post-translational modifications of tubulin. Post-translational modifications of tubulin include acetylation, tyrosination, de-tyrosination, glutamylation, SUMOylation, and so on. These modifications are closely associated with a wide range of biological processes. Accumulating evidence indicates that aberrant microtubule modifications are implicated in various diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer's disease, neurodevelopmental disorders, cardiac atrial hypertrophy, and even infertility. Aneuploid oocytes are a common cause of infertility, spontaneous abortion, trisomy syndrome, and other congenital abnormalities. The occurrence of aneuploidy is often closely associated with defects in spindle assembly, which are influenced by a series of tubulin modifications. In this review, we aimed to summarize the factors that affect tubulin modification and explore the key mechanisms underlying aneuploidy in human oocytes, thereby providing new insights and strategies for the treatment of infertility and prevention of congenital defects in newborns.</p>","PeriodicalId":55186,"journal":{"name":"Cytoskeleton","volume":"83 8","pages":"661-677"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cm.70062","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145423738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The New Nexin-Dynein Regulatory Complex Component CCDC153 Is Dispensable for Ciliary Motility and Fertility in Mice","authors":"Shanshan Nai, Yanjie Zheng, Xunshuo Liu, Huijie Zhao","doi":"10.1002/cm.70053","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cm.70053","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC) is an essential axonemal structure for ciliary and flagellar motility. Coiled-coil domain containing 153 (CCDC153) has recently been identified as a new N-DRC component in <i>Tetrahymena thermophila</i>. However, the physiological function of its mammalian homolog remains unknown. Here, we generated a <i>Ccdc153</i> knockout mouse model and explored its functional association with motile cilia. We found that CCDC153 was highly expressed in the motile cilia-abundant tissues and localized to the axonemal lumen in motile cilia. However, <i>Ccdc153</i> knockout mice were viable and exhibited normal brain ventricles and fertility. Overall, our results suggest that CCDC153 is dispensable for ciliary motility in brain ventricles and sperm movement, indicating that <i>CCDC153</i> is not a potential causative gene in human ciliopathies.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55186,"journal":{"name":"Cytoskeleton","volume":"83 8","pages":"633-642"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145253910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
CytoskeletonPub Date : 2026-08-18Epub Date: 2025-10-11DOI: 10.1002/cm.70057
Dehao Song, Qingchao Li, Yuqing Sun, Huijie Zhao, Ting Song
{"title":"The Cilia-Associated Protein CCDC89 Is Dispensable for Male Fertility in Mice","authors":"Dehao Song, Qingchao Li, Yuqing Sun, Huijie Zhao, Ting Song","doi":"10.1002/cm.70057","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cm.70057","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Cilia are microtubule-based organelles that protrude from the cell surface and are crucial for cellular sensory and motility functions. Defects in cilia are associated with various diseases, collectively known as ciliopathies. Although single-cell transcriptomics and proteomics have identified many proteins linked to cilia, their physiological roles remain largely unclear. In this study, we identify coiled-coil domain-containing 89 (CCDC89) as a new ciliary protein. Super-resolution imaging reveals that CCDC89 localizes to the axonemal lumen in motile cilia of mouse ependymal multiciliated cells. However, no apparent morphological abnormalities are observed in the lung and brain of <i>Ccdc89</i> knockout mice. While CCDC89 is highly abundant in the testis, <i>Ccdc89</i> knockout mice appear to have normal male fertility. Overall, our findings suggest that CCDC89 is dispensable for male fertility in mice, providing valuable information for other researchers to avoid unnecessary detailed studies.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55186,"journal":{"name":"Cytoskeleton","volume":"83 8","pages":"652-660"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145276806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
CytoskeletonPub Date : 2026-08-18Epub Date: 2025-08-16DOI: 10.1002/cm.70027
Mingyu Pan, Jinghan Li, Jingyan Fu
{"title":"Centrosome-Signaling Pathway Crosstalk: A Core Hub From Cellular Homeostasis to Disease","authors":"Mingyu Pan, Jinghan Li, Jingyan Fu","doi":"10.1002/cm.70027","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cm.70027","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The centrosome, an evolutionarily conserved organelle in most animal cells, plays a pivotal role in fundamental processes such as cell division and ciliogenesis. Recent evidence increasingly highlights active crosstalk between the centrosome and the signaling pathways, through which cells dynamically detect and respond to diverse extracellular and intracellular cues. In this review, we summarize the roles of the centrosome in multiple signaling pathways, including Hedgehog, Wnt, and Notch that govern cellular growth, division, differentiation, and tissue homeostasis. We also explore how these interactions mold centrosomal behavior, emphasizing its function as a hub for signaling integration.</p>","PeriodicalId":55186,"journal":{"name":"Cytoskeleton","volume":"83 8","pages":"578-600"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cm.70027","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144859897","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
CytoskeletonPub Date : 2026-08-18Epub Date: 2025-08-02DOI: 10.1002/cm.70016
Dan Dong, Mingzheng Hu, Xiaofan Wu, Ruming Liu, Ying Shan, Tao Zhong, Dengwen Li
{"title":"ENKD1 Modulates Skin Elasticity Through Microtubule Stability Regulation","authors":"Dan Dong, Mingzheng Hu, Xiaofan Wu, Ruming Liu, Ying Shan, Tao Zhong, Dengwen Li","doi":"10.1002/cm.70016","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cm.70016","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Skin elasticity is critical for maintaining skin function, yet the molecular mechanisms governing this process remain incompletely understood. Herein, we identify enkurin domain-containing protein 1 (ENKD1) as a key regulator of skin elasticity by modulating microtubule stability in basal keratinocytes. In <i>Enkd1</i> knockout mice, impaired migration of basal keratinocytes results in reduced epidermal elasticity compared to wild-type controls. Mechanistically, ENKD1 localizes to the centrosome and microtubules, where its expression enhances microtubule stability. Conversely, the absence of ENKD1 destabilizes microtubules, which likely impedes keratinocyte migration and compromises epidermal elasticity. Further investigations suggest that ENKD1 exerts its effects on microtubule stability via EB1. Collectively, these findings establish ENKD1 as a pivotal regulatory factor of mammalian epidermal elasticity, providing new insights into the molecular underpinnings of skin function.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55186,"journal":{"name":"Cytoskeleton","volume":"83 8","pages":"539-546"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144980918","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
CytoskeletonPub Date : 2026-08-18DOI: 10.1002/cm.70181
{"title":"Front Cover Image","authors":"","doi":"10.1002/cm.70181","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/cm.70181","url":null,"abstract":"<p>ON THE FRONT COVER: Coordinated Axoneme Elongation and Nuclear Remodeling in Drosophila Spermatogenesis. A fluorescence image of an elongating Drosophila spermatogenic cyst showing highly ordered axoneme elongation and coordinated nuclear remodeling during sperm morphogenesis. Axonemes are shown in green and DNA in magenta.</p><p>Credit: Guanglian Jiang and Jingyan Fu, China Agricultural University.\u0000\u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure>\u0000 </p>","PeriodicalId":55186,"journal":{"name":"Cytoskeleton","volume":"83 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cm.70181","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148784236","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
CytoskeletonPub Date : 2026-08-18Epub Date: 2025-09-05DOI: 10.1002/cm.70033
Ying Liu, Yong Zhang, Hua Ni, Peiwei Liu
{"title":"Structure Makes a Difference: IFT Complex in Ciliary Function and Ciliopathy","authors":"Ying Liu, Yong Zhang, Hua Ni, Peiwei Liu","doi":"10.1002/cm.70033","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cm.70033","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Cilia, evolutionarily conserved organelles on eukaryotic cell surfaces, depend on the intraflagellar transport (IFT) system for their assembly, maintenance, and signaling. The IFT system orchestrates bidirectional trafficking of structural components and signaling molecules through coordinated actions of protein complexes and molecular motors. IFT complexes assemble into anterograde trains at the ciliary base and undergo structural remodeling at the ciliary tip to form retrograde trains, with bidirectional motility regulated by modifications on the trains per se and the microtubule tracks. The BBSome rides with the IFT train and serves as a pivotal adaptor linking membrane cargos to the IFT train primarily for cargo exit from the cilia. Mutations in cilium-related genes from human ciliopathies contribute to the understanding of the IFT machinery. This review comprehensively delineates the molecular architecture, transport mechanisms, and regulatory networks of IFT complexes, bridging their functional dysregulation to disease phenotypes and advancing mechanistic insights.</p>","PeriodicalId":55186,"journal":{"name":"Cytoskeleton","volume":"83 8","pages":"601-615"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cm.70033","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145002048","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}