Gamma-actin is crucial for cell membrane stiffness

Researchers at the University of Geneva, in collaboration with other institutions, have discovered that a protein called gamma-actin is important for the stiffness of cell membranes and could play a role in hearing loss. This study, published in Nature Communications, focuses on how different types of actin proteins and myosin interact within cells. Epithelial cells form a barrier that protects our skin and internal organs. They are held together by structures called junctions, which help control what passes between cells. These junctions are crucial for keeping tissues intact and functioning properly. The research team found that when gamma-actin is missing, another type of actin called beta-actin increases. This change makes the upper part of the cell less stiff, affecting the movement of junction proteins but not the integrity of the barrier itself. Gamma-actin helps create a stronger and stiffer network within the cell. The findings suggest that a stiff cell membrane could be important for hearing. Mice lacking gamma-actin showed changes in the cell structure and suffered from progressive hearing loss. This study opens new avenues for understanding how gamma-actin contributes to cell stability and hearing function. Further research could help identify how these mechanisms relate to hearing loss conditions.