David R. Kovar, PhD

Cells simultaneously assemble and maintain different actin cytoskeleton networks of distinct organizations and dynamics for fundamental processes such as polarization, endocytosis, motility and division. How does a shared pool of actin monomer building blocks self-organize into distinct actin filament networks of specific densities, sizes and function within a common cellular cytoplasm? Our research group is investigating the molecular mechanisms that govern how diverse actin cytoskeleton networks self-organize through (1) competition for a limited supply of actin monomers, (2) network-specific sorting of actin binding proteins, and (3) the effects of different combinations of actin binding proteins on actin filament network organization, dynamics and function. We take advantage of complementary experiments in live cells and with purified components. These interdisciplinary techniques include genetics, time-lapse fluorescence microscopy of cells, biochemistry, biophysics, in vitro reconstitution and multi-color single molecule TIRF microscopy imaging.

Yale University
New Haven, CT
Postdoctoral Fellow - Biochemistry and Biophysics
2005

Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN
PhD - Biological Sciences
2001

Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OH
BA - Botany and Microbiology
1995

Highly flexible PEG-LifeAct constructs act as tunable biomimetic actin crosslinkers.
Highly flexible PEG-LifeAct constructs act as tunable biomimetic actin crosslinkers. Soft Matter. 2024 Jan 31; 20(5):971-977.
PMID: 38190228

Multi-monoubiquitination controls VASP-mediated actin dynamics.
Multi-monoubiquitination controls VASP-mediated actin dynamics. J Cell Sci. 2024 Jan 12.
PMID: 38214186

Reconstitution of the transition from a lamellipodia- to filopodia-like actin network with purified proteins.
Reconstitution of the transition from a lamellipodia- to filopodia-like actin network with purified proteins. Eur J Cell Biol. 2023 Dec; 102(4):151367.
PMID: 37890285

Multi-monoubiquitination controls VASP-mediated actin dynamics.
Multi-monoubiquitination controls VASP-mediated actin dynamics. bioRxiv. 2023 Jul 17.
PMID: 37503134

Cracked actin filaments as mechanosensitive receptors.
Cracked actin filaments as mechanosensitive receptors. bioRxiv. 2023 Jun 28.
PMID: 37425801

Acetylation of fission yeast tropomyosin does not promote differential association with cognate formins.
Acetylation of fission yeast tropomyosin does not promote differential association with cognate formins. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken). 2023 03; 80(3-4):77-92.
PMID: 36692369

Actin assembly requirements of the formin Fus1 to build the fusion focus.
Actin assembly requirements of the formin Fus1 to build the fusion focus. J Cell Sci. 2022 07 01; 135(13).
PMID: 35673994

Mechanism of actin filament nucleation.
Mechanism of actin filament nucleation. Biophys J. 2021 10 19; 120(20):4399-4417.
PMID: 34509503

Formin Cdc12's specific actin assembly properties are tailored for cytokinesis in fission yeast.
Formin Cdc12's specific actin assembly properties are tailored for cytokinesis in fission yeast. Biophys J. 2021 08 03; 120(15):2984-2997.
PMID: 34214524

LIM domain proteins in cell mechanobiology.
LIM domain proteins in cell mechanobiology. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken). 2021 06; 78(6):303-311.
PMID: 34028199

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BSD Distinguished Educator and Mentor Award
University of Chicago
2011