# Mechanisms of coordinated actin and microtubule dynamics

> **NIH NIH R35** · UPSTATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $396,260

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The cytoskeleton consists of several filamentous proteins including actin filaments and microtubules, that
regulate nearly all vital cell processes including: cell division, morphogenesis, phagocytosis, and
movement/motility. Exactly how the activities of actin and microtubules are coordinated to carry out these cell
processes is not fully understood. The goal of this research is to determine how the dynamics of the actin and
microtubules are coordinated in two ways: 1) by a group of regulatory proteins that bind to actin and MTs and
also interact with each other: CLIP-170, mDia1, EB1, and IQGAP1; and 2) through the formation of disease-
relevant protein aggregates (liquid droplets). This project uses classical biochemistry and cell biology assays
combined with a unique 4-color advanced microscopy imaging system that permits the simultaneous monitoring
of purified actin and microtubules with fluorescently labeled single molecules of interacting proteins to illuminate
detailed molecular mechanisms. We will further test the physiological and disease-relevance of these
mechanisms during critical cell processes (i.e. cell division and migration) in several cell types. This research
will advance a dynamic and emerging field by defining complex molecular interactions and mechanisms of
microtubule-actin crosstalk that underlie a host of fundamental biological processes and neurological disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10222725
- **Project number:** 5R35GM133485-03
- **Recipient organization:** UPSTATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Jessica L. Ridilla
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $396,260
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-15 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10222725

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10222725, Mechanisms of coordinated actin and microtubule dynamics (5R35GM133485-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10222725. Licensed CC0.

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