3-D structure of single filaments from the acrosomal bundle of Limulus sperm by 400 kV cryoelectron microscopy: Scruin binds to homologous actin subdomains

Author(s):  
Jacob Agris ◽  
Michael F. Schmid ◽  
Joanita Jakana ◽  
Paul Matsudaira ◽  
Wah Chiu

Scruin (102 kDa), an actin binding and bundling protein, is found in a 1:1 complex with actin in the acrosomal process of Limulus sperm. The protein sequence of scruin is unrelated to any known actin binding proteins but reveals a tandem pair of homologous domains (Way and Matsudaira, manuscript submitted). Sequence comparisons reveal homology in each domain with kelch, a gene in Drosophila that is important in nutrient transport into the oocyte and in the maintenance of a cellular structure called the ring canal, and with MIPP, a mouse placental protein of unknown function. Their similarity with scruin suggests a cytoskeletal function and they may form a new family of actin crosslinking proteins. The actin binding domains in this family of proteins have not been identified.To understand the structural basis of actin crosslinking and bundling, we have been studying the acrosomal bundle by cryoelectron microscopy. The actin bundle of the Limulus acrosomal process is structurally unique because it can be considered as a single 3-dimensional crystal in space group PI, with 28 actin subunits and scruin molecules per unit cell.

Author(s):  
J. Jakana ◽  
M.F. Schmid ◽  
P. Matsudaira ◽  
W. Chiu

Actin is a protein found in all eukaryotic cells. In its polymerized form, the cells use it for motility, cytokinesis and for cytoskeletal support. An example of this latter class is the actin bundle in the acrosomal process from the Limulus sperm. The different functions actin performs seem to arise from its interaction with the actin binding proteins. A 3-dimensional structure of this macromolecular assembly is essential to provide a structural basis for understanding this interaction in relationship to its development and functions.


Author(s):  
Michael F. Schmid ◽  
Joanita Jakana ◽  
Paul Matsudaira ◽  
Wah Chiu

Actin associates with crosslinking proteins to form bundles and networks. These assemblies can provide a scaffold to anchor organelles, a support for the cell membrane or can attach the cell to the extracellular matrix or to other cells. Each crosslinker must have at least two actin binding sites, one for each actin filament. Scruin, in the Limulus acrosomal bundle, shows no homology with other actin cross-linking proteins. However, it has two homologous domains also found in the sequence encoded by kelch, a gene in Drosophila that is important in nutrient transport into the oocyte, and in MIPP, a mouse placental protein.We have determined a 13Å helical 3-dimensional structure of the actin-scruin complex, which is the basic repeat unit of the acrosomal bundle in Limulus sperm and have fitted the F-actin filament of Holmes. Each scruin binds to two adjacent actin molecules along a single F-actin filament helix. In the present investigation, we used our high resolution (7Å) spot scan electron images of ice-embedded acrosomal bundles for further analysis of the actin atomic map and scruin-scruin contacts. Spot-scan images were obtained from the frozen, hydrated acrosomal bundles in a 400 kV electron cryomicroscope.


2007 ◽  
Vol 179 (5) ◽  
pp. 1011-1025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fumihiko Nakamura ◽  
Teresia M. Osborn ◽  
Christopher A. Hartemink ◽  
John H. Hartwig ◽  
Thomas P. Stossel

Filamin A (FLNa) can effect orthogonal branching of F-actin and bind many cellular constituents. FLNa dimeric subunits have N-terminal spectrin family F-actin binding domains (ABDs) and an elongated flexible segment of 24 immunoglobulin (Ig) repeats. We generated a library of FLNa fragments to examine their F-actin binding to define the structural properties of FLNa that enable its various functions. We find that Ig repeats 9–15 contain an F-actin–binding domain necessary for high avidity F-actin binding. Ig repeats 16–24, where most FLNa-binding partners interact, do not bind F-actin, and thus F-actin does not compete with Ig repeat 23 ligand, FilGAP. Ig repeats 16–24 have a compact structure that suggests their unfolding may accommodate pre-stress–mediated stiffening of F-actin networks, partner binding, mechanosensing, and mechanoprotection properties of FLNa. Our results also establish the orientation of FLNa dimers in F-actin branching. Dimerization, mediated by FLNa Ig repeat 24, accounts for rigid high-angle FLNa/F-actin branching resistant to bending by thermal forces, and high avidity F-actin binding and cross-linking.


1985 ◽  
Vol 260 (28) ◽  
pp. 15232-15238 ◽  
Author(s):  
D J Kwiatkowski ◽  
P A Janmey ◽  
J E Mole ◽  
H L Yin

1999 ◽  
Vol 147 (7) ◽  
pp. 1385-1390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Wendt ◽  
Dianne Taylor ◽  
Terri Messier ◽  
Kathleen M. Trybus ◽  
Kenneth A. Taylor

The structural basis for the phosphoryla- tion-dependent regulation of smooth muscle myosin ATPase activity was investigated by forming two- dimensional (2-D) crystalline arrays of expressed unphosphorylated and thiophosphorylated smooth muscle heavy meromyosin (HMM) on positively charged lipid monolayers. A comparison of averaged 2-D projections of both forms at 2.3-nm resolution reveals distinct structural differences. In the active, thiophosphorylated form, the two heads of HMM interact intermolecularly with adjacent molecules. In the unphosphorylated or inhibited state, intramolecular interactions position the actin-binding interface of one head onto the converter domain of the second head, thus providing a mechanism whereby the activity of both heads could be inhibited.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhipeng Chen ◽  
Da Xu ◽  
Liang Wang ◽  
Cong-Zhao Zhou ◽  
Wen-Tao Hou ◽  
...  

Human ATP-binding cassette (ABC) subfamily D transporter ABCD1 can transport CoA esters of saturated/monounsaturated long/very long chain fatty acid into the peroxisome for β-oxidation. Dysfunction of human ABCD1 causes X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, which is a severe progressive genetic disorder affecting the nervous system. Nevertheless, the mechanistic details of substrate recognition and translocation by ABCD1 remains obscure. Here, we present three cryo-EM structures of human ABCD1 in distinct functional states. In the apo-form structure of 3.53 Å resolution, ABCD1 exhibits an inward-facing conformation, allowing the lateral entry of substrate from the lipid bilayer. In the 3.59 Å structure of substrate-bound ABCD1, two molecules of C22:0-CoA, the physiological substrate of ABCD1, is symmetrically bound in two transmembrane domains (TMDs). Each C22:0-CoA adopts a L-shape, with its CoA portion and acyl chain components bound to two TMDs respectively, resembling a pair of strings that pull the TMDs closer, resultantly generating a narrower outward-facing conformation. In the 2.79 Å ATP-bound ABCD1 structure, the two nucleotide-binding domains dimerize, leading to an outward-facing conformation, which opens the translocation cavity exit towards the peroxisome matrix side and releases the substrates. Our study provides a molecular basis to understand the mechanism of ABCD1-mediated substrate recognition and translocation, and suggests a unique binding pattern for amphipathic molecules with long acyl chains.


2014 ◽  
Vol 115 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishna Mallela ◽  
Swati Bandi ◽  
Surinder Singh ◽  
Geoffrey Armstrong

Tandem calponin-homology (CH) domains constitute a major class of actin-binding domains that include dystrophin and utrophin, the two key proteins involved in muscular dystrophy. Despite their importance, how their structure controls their function is not understood. Here, we study the contribution of individual CH domains to the actin-binding function and thermodynamic stability of utrophin’s tandem CH domain. Traditional actin co-sedimentation assays indicate that the isolated C-terminal CH2 domain binds weakly to F-actin when compared with the full-length tandem CH domain. In contrast, isolated CH1 binds to F-actin with a similar efficiency as that of the full-length tandem CH domain. Thus, the obvious question that arises is why tandem CH domains require CH2, when their actin-binding efficiency is originating primarily from CH1. To answer, we probed the thermodynamic stabilities of individual CH domains. Isolated CH1 domain is unstable and is prone to serious aggregation. Isolated CH2 is very stable, even appears to be more stable than the full-length tandem CH domain. In addition, the CH2 domain, which is more stable, is less functional. These results indicate that the main function of CH2 is to stabilize CH1. Consistently, the proposed structure of utrophin’s tandem CH domain based on earlier X-ray studies indicates a close proximity between the C-terminal helix of CH2 and the N-terminal helix of CH1, and this helix in CH2 is more dynamic in the full-length protein when compared with that in the absence of CH1, suggesting the mechanism by which CH2 stabilizes CH1. These observations indicate that the two CH domains contribute differentially to the folding and function of tandem CH domains, although both domains essentially have the same native structure in the tandem CH domain. The N-terminal domain determines the function, whereas the C-terminal domain determines the stability. This work was funded by the AHA Grant 11SDG4880046.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeetayu Biswas ◽  
Vivek L. Patel ◽  
Varun Bhaskar ◽  
Jeffrey A. Chao ◽  
Robert H. Singer ◽  
...  

Abstract The IGF2 mRNA-binding proteins (ZBP1/IMP1, IMP2, IMP3) are highly conserved post-transcriptional regulators of RNA stability, localization and translation. They play important roles in cell migration, neural development, metabolism and cancer cell survival. The knockout phenotypes of individual IMP proteins suggest that each family member regulates a unique pool of RNAs, yet evidence and an underlying mechanism for this is lacking. Here, we combine systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) and NMR spectroscopy to demonstrate that the major RNA-binding domains of the two most distantly related IMPs (ZBP1 and IMP2) bind to different consensus sequences and regulate targets consistent with their knockout phenotypes and roles in disease. We find that the targeting specificity of each IMP is determined by few amino acids in their variable loops. As variable loops often differ amongst KH domain paralogs, we hypothesize that this is a general mechanism for evolving specificity and regulation of the transcriptome.


2020 ◽  
Vol 88 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susmita Ghosh ◽  
Elizabeth A. Ruelke ◽  
Joshua C. Ferrell ◽  
Maria D. Bodero ◽  
Kenneth A. Fields ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The translocated actin recruiting phosphoprotein (Tarp) is a multidomain type III secreted effector used by Chlamydia trachomatis. In aggregate, existing data suggest a role of this effector in initiating new infections. As new genetic tools began to emerge to study chlamydial genes in vivo, we speculated as to what degree Tarp function contributes to Chlamydia’s ability to parasitize mammalian host cells. To address this question, we generated a complete tarP deletion mutant using the fluorescence-reported allelic exchange mutagenesis (FRAEM) technique and complemented the mutant in trans with wild-type tarP or mutant tarP alleles engineered to harbor in-frame domain deletions. We provide evidence for the significant role of Tarp in C. trachomatis invasion of host cells. Complementation studies indicate that the C-terminal filamentous actin (F-actin)-binding domains are responsible for Tarp-mediated invasion efficiency. Wild-type C. trachomatis entry into HeLa cells resulted in host cell shape changes, whereas the tarP mutant did not. Finally, using a novel cis complementation approach, C. trachomatis lacking tarP demonstrated significant attenuation in a murine genital tract infection model. Together, these data provide definitive genetic evidence for the critical role of the Tarp F-actin-binding domains in host cell invasion and for the Tarp effector as a bona fide C. trachomatis virulence factor.


2000 ◽  
Vol 347 (3) ◽  
pp. 741-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle MOUYNA ◽  
Michel MONOD ◽  
Thierry FONTAINE ◽  
Bernard HENRISSAT ◽  
Barbara LÉCHENNE ◽  
...  

A new family of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored β(1-3)glucanosyltransferases (Gelp), recently identified and characterized in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, showed functional similarity to the Gas/Phr/Epd protein families, which are involved in yeast morphogenesis. Sequence comparisons and hydrophobic cluster analysis (HCA) showed that all the Gas/Phr/Epd/Gel proteins belong to a new family of glycosylhydrolases, family 72. We confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis and biochemical analysis that the two conserved glutamate residues (the putative catalytic residues of this family, as determined by HCA) are involved in the active site of this family of glycosylhydrolases.


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