Reversal of profilin inhibition of actin polymerization invitro by erythrocyte cytochalasin-binding complexes and cross-linked actin nuclei

Actin polymerization in 2 mM MgCl2 is known to be inhibited by profilin. We found that small amounts of cytochalasin-binding complexes from human red cell membranes or actin nuclei cross-linked by p-NN′-phenylenebismaleimide can reverse the inhibitory action of profilin, leading to the rapid polymerization of the actin. This type of polymerization is inhibited by low concentrations of cytochalasin B. These results indicate that (a) the complexes and nuclei promote actin polymerization in the presence of profilin by providing sites onto which actin monomers can be added, and (b) profilin and cytochalasin B affect two distinct steps (i.e. nucleus formation and filament elongation, respectively) in the polymerization reaction.