Osteoclast cytoskeleton changes during fusion

In this project, the structure of two major components of osteoclast cytoskeleton - actin and microtubules are described and the role of the microtubule in aggregation of nuclei during osteoclast fusion is explored. In the attached osteoclast, actin forms a ring-like structure composed of bundle-like actin filaments and dot-like podosomes in the periphery, and microtubules form a mesh-like structure around multiple nuclei and radiate to the periphery of the cytoplasm. During the process of osteoclast fusion, microtubules from different individual osteoclasts intertwine with each other and form a bundle-like structure between different groups of nuclei. A microtubule disruptor - methyl carbamate (MBC) was used to explore the role of microtubules in the aggregation of nuclei from different osteoclasts during fusion. These results indicate that microtubules do not play a major role in the aggregation of nuclei during osteoclast fusion.