scholarly journals Structural characterization suggests models for monomeric and dimeric forms of full-length ezrin

2016 ◽  
Vol 473 (18) ◽  
pp. 2763-2782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juanita M. Phang ◽  
Stephen J. Harrop ◽  
Anthony P. Duff ◽  
Anna V. Sokolova ◽  
Ben Crossett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Form ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Heptad Repeat ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Stable Complex ◽  
Globular Domain ◽  
Erm Proteins ◽  
Metazoan Evolution ◽  
Terminal Domain

Ezrin is a member of the ERM (ezrin–radixin–moesin) family of proteins that have been conserved through metazoan evolution. These proteins have dormant and active forms, where the latter links the actin cytoskeleton to membranes. ERM proteins have three domains: an N-terminal FERM [band Four-point-one (4.1) ERM] domain comprising three subdomains (F1, F2, and F3); a helical domain; and a C-terminal actin-binding domain. In the dormant form, FERM and C-terminal domains form a stable complex. We have determined crystal structures of the active FERM domain and the dormant FERM:C-terminal domain complex of human ezrin. We observe a bistable array of phenylalanine residues in the core of subdomain F3 that is mobile in the active form and locked in the dormant form. As subdomain F3 is pivotal in binding membrane proteins and phospholipids, these transitions may facilitate activation and signaling. Full-length ezrin forms stable monomers and dimers. We used small-angle X-ray scattering to determine the solution structures of these species. As expected, the monomer shows a globular domain with a protruding helical coiled coil. The dimer shows an elongated dumbbell structure that is twice as long as the monomer. By aligning ERM sequences spanning metazoan evolution, we show that the central helical region is conserved, preserving the heptad repeat. Using this, we have built a dimer model where each monomer forms half of an elongated antiparallel coiled coil with domain-swapped FERM:C-terminal domain complexes at each end. The model suggests that ERM dimers may bind to actin in a parallel fashion.

scholarly journals Three determinants in ezrin are responsible for cell extension activity.

1997 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 1543-1557 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Martin ◽  
C Roy ◽  
P Montcourrier ◽  
A Sahuquet ◽  
P Mangeat
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Cell Extension ◽  
Erm Proteins ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Extension Activity ◽  
Dependent Cell

The ERM proteins--ezrin, radixin, and moesin--are key players in membrane-cytoskeleton interactions. In insect cells infected with recombinant baculoviruses, amino acids 1-115 of ezrin were shown to inhibit an actin- and tubulin-dependent cell-extension activity located in ezrin C-terminal domain (ezrin310-586), whereas full-length ezrin1-586 did not induce any morphological change. To refine the mapping of functional domains of ezrin, 30 additional constructs were overexpressed in Sf9 cells, and the resulting effect of each was qualitatively and semiquantitatively compared. The removal of amino acids 13-30 was sufficient to release a cell-extension phenotype. This effect was abrogated if the 21 distal-most C-terminal amino acids were subsequently deleted (ezrin31-565), confirming the existence of a head-to-tail regulation in the whole molecule. Surprisingly, the deletion in full-length ezrin of the same 21 amino acids provided strong cell-extension competence to ezrin1-565, and this property was recovered in N-terminal constructs as short as ezrin1-310. Within ezrin1-310, amino acid sequences 13-30 and 281-310 were important determinants and acted in cooperation to induce cytoskeleton mobilization. In addition, these same residues are part of a new actin-binding site characterized in vitro in ezrin N-terminal domain.

scholarly journals Microtubule Actin Cross-Linking Factor (Macf)

1999 ◽  
Vol 147 (6) ◽  
pp. 1275-1286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Conrad L. Leung ◽  
Dongming Sun ◽  
Min Zheng ◽  
David R. Knowles ◽  
Ronald K.H. Liem
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Binding ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Specific Protein ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Actin Binding Domain

We cloned and characterized a full-length cDNA of mouse actin cross-linking family 7 (mACF7) by sequential rapid amplification of cDNA ends–PCR. The completed mACF7 cDNA is 17 kb and codes for a 608-kD protein. The closest relative of mACF7 is the Drosophila protein Kakapo, which shares similar architecture with mACF7. mACF7 contains a putative actin-binding domain and a plakin-like domain that are highly homologous to dystonin (BPAG1-n) at its NH2 terminus. However, unlike dystonin, mACF7 does not contain a coiled–coil rod domain; instead, the rod domain of mACF7 is made up of 23 dystrophin-like spectrin repeats. At its COOH terminus, mACF7 contains two putative EF-hand calcium-binding motifs and a segment homologous to the growth arrest–specific protein, Gas2. In this paper, we demonstrate that the NH2-terminal actin-binding domain of mACF7 is functional both in vivo and in vitro. More importantly, we found that the COOH-terminal domain of mACF7 interacts with and stabilizes microtubules. In transfected cells full-length mACF7 can associate not only with actin but also with microtubules. Hence, we suggest a modified name: MACF (microtubule actin cross-linking factor). The properties of MACF are consistent with the observation that mutations in kakapo cause disorganization of microtubules in epidermal muscle attachment cells and some sensory neurons.

Abstract 42: Differential Contribution Of The N- And C-terminal Domains To The Folding And Function Of Tandem Calponin-homology Domains

2014 ◽  
Vol 115 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishna Mallela ◽  
Swati Bandi ◽  
Surinder Singh ◽  
Geoffrey Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
Full Length ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Main Function ◽  
Calponin Homology ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Binding Function ◽  
Ch2 Domain ◽  
The Stability ◽  
And Function

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.

scholarly journals Molecular dissection of radixin: distinct and interdependent functions of the amino- and carboxy-terminal domains.

1995 ◽  
Vol 129 (4) ◽  
pp. 1007-1022 ◽  
Author(s):  
M D Henry ◽  
C Gonzalez Agosti ◽  
F Solomon
Keyword(s):  
Full Length ◽  
Detectable Effect ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Erm Proteins ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Carboxy Terminal Domain ◽  
Carboxy Terminal ◽  
Terminal Domains

The ERM proteins--ezrin, radixin, and moesin--occur in particular cortical cytoskeletal structures. Several lines of evidence suggest that they interact with both cytoskeletal elements and plasma membrane components. Here we described the properties of full-length and truncated radixin polypeptides expressed in transfected cells. In stable transfectants, exogenous full-length radixin behaves much like endogenous ERM proteins, localizing to the same cortical structures. However, the presence of full-length radixin or its carboxy-terminal domain in cortical structures correlates with greatly diminished staining of endogenous moesin in those structures, suggesting that radixin and moesin compete for a limiting factor required for normal associations in the cell. The results also reveal distinct roles for the amino- and carboxy-terminal domains. At low levels relative to endogenous radixin, the carboxy-terminal polypeptide is associated with most of the correct cortical targets except cleavage furrows. In contrast, the amino-terminal polypeptide is diffusely localized throughout the cell. Low level expression of full-length radixin or either of the truncated polypeptides has no detectable effect on cell physiology. However, high level expression of the carboxy-terminal domain dramatically disrupts normal cytoskeletal structures and functions. At these high levels, the amino-terminal polypeptide does localize to cortical structures, but does not affect the cells. We conclude that the behavior of radixin in cells depends upon activities contributed by separate domains of the protein, but also requires modulating interactions between those domains.

scholarly journals Urea Unfolding Study of E. coli Alanyl-tRNA Synthetase and Its Monomeric Variants Proves the Role of C-Terminal Domain in Stability

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baisakhi Banerjee ◽  
Rajat Banerjee
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Ultracentrifugation ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Tryptophan Fluorescence ◽  
Trna Synthetase ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Spectroscopic Techniques ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Native Form ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Terminal Domain

E. coli alanyl-tRNA exists as a dimer in its native form and the C-terminal coiled-coil part plays an important role in the dimerization process. The truncated N-terminal containing the first 700 amino acids (1–700) forms a monomeric variant possessing similar aminoacylation activity like wild type. A point mutation in the C-terminal domain (G674D) also produces a monomeric variant with a fivefold reduced aminoacylation activity compared to the wild type enzyme. Urea induced denaturation of these monomeric mutants along with another alaRS variant (N461 alaRS) was studied together with the full-length enzyme using various spectroscopic techniques such as intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence, 1-anilino-8-naphthalene-sulfonic acid binding, near- and far-UV circular dichroism, and analytical ultracentrifugation. Aminoacylation activity assay after refolding from denatured state revealed that the monomeric mutants studied here were unable to regain their activity, whereas the dimeric full-length alaRS gets back similar activity as the native enzyme. This study indicates that dimerization is one of the key regulatory factors that is important in the proper folding and stability of E. coli alaRS.

scholarly journals Insights into EB1 structure and the role of its C-terminal domain for discriminating microtubule tips from the lattice

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (16) ◽  
pp. 2912-2923 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rubén M. Buey ◽  
Renu Mohan ◽  
Kris Leslie ◽  
Thomas Walzthoeni ◽  
John H. Missimer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biochemical Analysis ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
X Ray Scattering ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Stable Association ◽  
Chemical Cross Linking

End-binding proteins (EBs) comprise a conserved family of microtubule plus end–tracking proteins. The concerted action of calponin homology (CH), linker, and C-terminal domains of EBs is important for their autonomous microtubule tip tracking, regulation of microtubule dynamics, and recruitment of numerous partners to microtubule ends. Here we report the detailed structural and biochemical analysis of mammalian EBs. Small-angle X-ray scattering, electron microscopy, and chemical cross-linking in combination with mass spectrometry indicate that EBs are elongated molecules with two interacting CH domains, an arrangement reminiscent of that seen in other microtubule- and actin-binding proteins. Removal of the negatively charged C-terminal tail did not affect the overall conformation of EBs; however, it increased the dwell times of EBs on the microtubule lattice in microtubule tip–tracking reconstitution experiments. An even more stable association with the microtubule lattice was observed when the entire negatively charged C-terminal domain of EBs was replaced by a neutral coiled-coil motif. In contrast, the interaction of EBs with growing microtubule tips was not significantly affected by these C-terminal domain mutations. Our data indicate that long-range electrostatic repulsive interactions between the C-terminus and the microtubule lattice drive the specificity of EBs for growing microtubule ends.

scholarly journals Homotypic dimerization of the actin-binding protein p57/coronin-1 mediated by a leucine zipper motif in the C-terminal region

2005 ◽  
Vol 387 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teruaki OKU ◽  
Saotomo ITOH ◽  
Rie ISHII ◽  
Kensuke SUZUKI ◽  
William M. NAUSEEF ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leucine Zipper ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Terminal Region ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Leucine Zipper Motif ◽  
Actin Binding Protein ◽  
Coiled Coil Domain

The actin-binding protein p57/coronin-1, a member of the coronin protein family, is selectively expressed in immune cells, and has been implicated in leucocyte migration and phagocytosis by virtue of its interaction with F-actin (filamentous actin). We previously identified two sites in the N-terminal region of p57/coronin-1 by which it binds actin, and in the present study we examine the role of the leucine zipper motif located in the C-terminal coiled-coil domain in mediating the homotypic association of p57/coronin-1. Recombinant p57/coronin-1 protein in solution formed a homodimer, as analysed by Superose 12 column chromatography and by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. In vivo, a truncated form consisting of the C-terminal coiled-coil domain co-precipitated with full-length p57/coronin-1 when both were co-expressed in COS-1 cells. A chimaeric construct composed of the C-terminal domain of p57/coronin-1 (which lacks the actin-binding sites) fused with green fluorescent protein co-localized with cortical F-actin-rich regions in COS-1 cells only when full-length p57/coronin-1 was expressed simultaneously in the cells, suggesting that the C-terminal region is required for the homotypic association of p57/coronin-1. Furthermore, p57LZ, a polypeptide consisting of the C-terminal 90 amino acid residues of p57/coronin-1, was sufficient for dimerization. When two leucine residues out of the four that constitute the leucine zipper structure in p57LZ or full-length p57 were replaced with alanine residues, the mutants failed to form homodimers. Taken together, these results demonstrate that p57/coronin-1 forms homodimers, that the association is mediated by the leucine zipper structure in the C-terminal region, and that it plays a role in the cross-linking of F-actin in the cell.

scholarly journals Mutagenesis analysis of human SM22: characterization of actin binding

2000 ◽  
Vol 89 (5) ◽  
pp. 1985-1990 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiping Fu ◽  
Hong Wei Liu ◽  
Sean M. Forsythe ◽  
Paul Kogut ◽  
John F. McConville ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase C ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Serine Phosphorylation ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Internal Deletion ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Kinase C

SM22 is a 201-amino acid actin-binding protein expressed at high levels in smooth muscle cells. It has structural homology to calponin, but how SM22 binds to actin remains unknown. We performed site-directed mutagenesis to generate a series of NH2-terminal histidine (His)-tagged mutants of human SM22 in Escherichia coli and used these to analyze the functional importance of potential actin binding domains. Purified full-length recombinant SM22 bound to actin in vitro, as demonstrated by cosedimentation assay. Binding did not vary with calcium concentration. The COOH-terminal domain of SM22 is required for actin affinity, because COOH terminally truncated mutants [SM22-(1–186) and SM22-(1–166)] exhibited markedly reduced cosedimentation with actin, and no actin binding of SM22-(1–151) could be detected. Internal deletion of a putative actin binding site (154-KKAQEHKR-161) partially prevented actin binding, as did point mutation to neutralize either or both pairs of positively charged residues at the ends of this region (KK154LL and/or KR160LL). Internal deletion of amino acids 170–180 or 170–186 also partially or almost completely inhibited actin cosedimentation, respectively. Of the three consensus protein kinase C or casein kinase II phosphorylation sites in SM22, only Ser-181 was readily phosphorylated by protein kinase C in vitro, and such phosphorylation greatly decreased actin binding. Substitution of Ser-181 to aspartic acid (to mimic serine phosphorylation) also reduced actin binding. Immunostains of transiently transfected airway myocytes revealed that full-length NH2-terminal FLAG-tagged SM22 colocalizes with actin filaments, whereas FLAG-SM22-(1–151) does not. These data confirm that SM22 binds to actin in vitro and in vivo and, for the first time, demonstrate that multiple regions within the COOH-terminal domain are required for full actin affinity.

scholarly journals In vitro reconstitution of a heterotrimeric nucleoporin complex consisting of recombinant Nsp1p, Nup49p, and Nup57p.

1997 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
N L Schlaich ◽  
M Häner ◽  
A Lustig ◽  
U Aebi ◽  
E C Hurt
Keyword(s):  
Nucleocytoplasmic Transport ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Heptad Repeat ◽  
Nuclear Pores ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Carboxyl Terminal Domain ◽  
Carboxyl Terminal

The yeast nucleoporins Nsp1p, Nup49p, and Nup57p form a complex at the nuclear pores which is involved in nucleocytoplasmic transport. To investigate the molecular basis underlying complex formation, recombinant full-length Nup49p and Nup57p and the carboxyl-terminal domain of Nsp1p, which lacks the FXFG repeat domain, were expressed in Escherichia coli. When the three purified proteins were mixed together, they spontaneously associated to form a 150-kDa complex of 1:1:1 stoichiometry. In this trimeric complex, Nup57p fulfills the role of an organizing center, to which Nup49p and Nsp1p individually bind. For this interaction to occur, only two heptad repeat regions of the Nsp1p carboxyl-terminal domain are required, each region being about 50 amino acids in length. Finally, the reconstituted complex has the capability to bind to full-length Nic96p but not to mutant forms which also do not interact in vivo. When added to permeabilized yeast cells, the complex associates with the nuclear envelope and the nuclear pores. We conclude that Nsp1p, Nup49p, and Nup57p can reconstitute a complex in vitro which is competent for further assembly with other components of nuclear pores.

scholarly journals Rab13 Regulates Neurite Outgrowth in PC12 Cells through Its Effector Protein, JRAB/MICAL-L2

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 1077-1087 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayuko Sakane ◽  
Kazufumi Honda ◽  
Takuya Sasaki
Keyword(s):  
Neurite Outgrowth ◽  
Pc12 Cells ◽  
Cell Body ◽  
Intramolecular Interaction ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Active Form ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Effector Protein ◽  
Lim Domains

ABSTRACT Neurite outgrowth is the first step in the processes of neuronal differentiation and regeneration and leads to synaptic polarization and plasticity. Rab13 small G protein shows an increased mRNA expression level during neuronal regeneration; it is therefore thought to be involved in this process. We previously identified JRAB (junctional Rab13-binding protein)/MICAL-L2 (molecules interacting with CasL-like 2) as a novel Rab13 effector protein. Here, we show that Rab13 regulates neurite outgrowth in the rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12 through an interaction with JRAB/MICAL-L2. The expression of JRAB/MICAL-L2 alone inhibits neurite outgrowth, whereas coexpression of the dominant active form of Rab13 rescues this effect. We also demonstrate an intramolecular interaction between the N-terminal calponin-homology (CH) and LIM domains of JRAB/MICAL-L2 and the C-terminal coiled-coil domain. Finally, we show that the binding of Rab13 to JRAB/MICAL-L2 stimulates the interaction of JRAB/MICAL-L2 with actinin-4, an actin-binding protein, which localizes to the cell body and the tips of the neurites in PC12 cells. These results suggest that Rab13 and JRAB/MICAL-L2 may act to transfer actinin-4 from the cell body to the tips of neurites, where actinin-4 is involved in the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton which results in neurite outgrowth.

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