Purification and characterization of a nonpolymerizing long-pitch actin dimer

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 695-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Braden Sweeting ◽  
John F. Dawson
Keyword(s):  
Critical Concentration ◽  
Dnase I ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Rhodamine Phalloidin ◽  
Fold Reduction ◽  
Crystallization Conditions ◽  
Self Association ◽  
Pointed End

Atomic resolution structures of filamentous actin have not been obtained owing to the self-association of actin under crystallization conditions. Obtaining short filamentous actin complexes of defined lengths is therefore a highly desirable goal. Here we report the production and isolation of a long-pitch actin dimer employing chemical crosslinking between wild-type actin and Q41C/C374A mutant actin. The Q41C/C374A mutant actin possessed altered polymerization properties, with a 2-fold reduction in the rate of elongation and an increased critical concentration relative to wild-type actin. The Q41C/C374A mutant actin also displayed an increase in the IC50 for DNase I, a pointed-end actin-binding protein. The long-pitch dimer was bound by DNase I to prevent polymerization and purified. It was found that each actin dimer is bound by 2 DNase I molecules, 1 likely bound to each of the actin protomers. The long-pitch dimer bound by DNase I did not form short F actin structures, as assessed by the binding of rhodamine–phalloidin.

scholarly journals Osmotic stress and the yeast cytoskeleton: phenotype-specific suppression of an actin mutation.

1992 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 561-571 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Chowdhury ◽  
K W Smith ◽  
M C Gustin
Keyword(s):  
Osmotic Stress ◽  
Actin Filament ◽  
Physiological Process ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Cortical Actin ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Rhodamine Phalloidin ◽  
Diploid Cells

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, actin filaments function to direct cell growth to the emerging bud. Yeast has a single essential actin gene, ACT1. Diploid cells containing a single copy of ACT1 are osmosensitive (Osms), i.e., they fail to grow in high osmolarity media (D. Shortle, unpublished observations cited by Novick, P., and D. Botstein. 1985. Cell. 40:415-426). This phenotype suggests that an underlying physiological process involving actin is osmosensitive. Here, we demonstrate that this physiological process is a rapid and reversible change in actin filament organization in cells exposed to osmotic stress. Filamentous actin was stained using rhodamine phalloidin. Increasing external osmolarity caused a rapid loss of actin filament cables, followed by a slower redistribution of cortical actin filament patches. In the recovery phase, cables and patches were restored to their original levels and locations. Strains containing an act1-1 mutation are both Osms and temperature-sensitive (Ts) (Novick and Botstein, 1985). To identify genes whose products functionally interact with actin in cellular responses to osmotic stress, we have isolated extragenic suppressors which revert only the Osms but not the Ts phenotype of an act1-1 mutant. These suppressors identify three genes, RAH1-RAH3. Morphological and genetic properties of a dominant suppressor mutation suggest that the product of the wild-type allele, RAH3+, is an actin-binding protein that interacts with actin to allow reassembly of the cytoskeleton following osmotic stress.

scholarly journals Mapping the binding site of thymosin β4 on actin by competition with G-actin binding proteins indicates negative co-operativity between binding sites located on opposite subdomains of actin

1997 ◽  
Vol 327 (3) ◽  
pp. 787-793 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edda BALLWEBER ◽  
Ewald HANNAPPEL ◽  
Thomas HUFF ◽  
Hans Georg MANNHERZ
Keyword(s):  
Binding Site ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Ternary Complex ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Critical Concentration ◽  
Dnase I ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Thymosin Β4 ◽  
Actin Binding Proteins

The β-thymosins are small monomeric (G-)actin-binding proteins of 5 kDa that are supposed to act intracellularly as actin-sequestering factors stabilizing the cytoplasmic monomeric pool of actin. The binding region of thymosin β4 was determined by analysing the binding of thymosin β4 to actin complexed with DNase I, gelsolin or gelsolin segment 1. Binding was analysed by determining the increase in the critical concentration of actin polymerization by native gel electrophoresis or chemical cross-linking. The formation of a ternary complex including thymosin β4 should indicate that the actin-binding proteins attach to different sites on actin. Competition would be indicative of binding to identical or overlapping sites on actin or of a negative co-operative linkage between the two binding sites. Competition of thymosin β4 for actin binding was observed in the presence of intact gelsolin or the N-terminal gelsolin fragment, segment 1, indicating that thymosin β4 binds to a site close to or identical with the gelsolin segment 1-binding site. The ternary complex of actin-DNase I-thymosin β4 was obtained only when using the chemically cross-linked actin-thymosin β4 complex, indicating that thymosin β4 is dissociated by the binding of DNase I to actin. It is suggested that the dissociation of thymosin β4 by DNase I binding to actin is caused by negative co-operativity between their spatially separated binding sites on actin. A similar negative co-operativity was observed between DNase I and gelsolin segment 1 binding to actin. The results therefore indicate that the respective binding sites for DNase I and segment 1 on subdomains 1 and 2 of actin are linked in a negative co-operative manner.

Yeast actin with a subdomain 4 mutation (A204C) exhibits increased pointed-end critical concentration

2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 319-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Teal ◽  
John F. Dawson
Keyword(s):  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Critical Concentration ◽  
Structural Studies ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Engineering Strategy ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Pointed End ◽  
Very High

Characterizing mutants of actin that do not polymerize will advance our understanding of the mechanism of actin polymerization and will be invaluable for the production of short F-actin structures for structural studies. To circumvent the problem of expressing dominant lethal nonpolymerizing actin in yeast, we adopted a cysteine engineering strategy. Here we report the characterization of a mutant of yeast actin, AC-actin, possessing a single pointed-end mutation, A204C. Expression of this mutant in yeast results in actin-polymerization-deficient phenotypes. When copolymerized with wild-type actin, ATP–AC-actin is incorporated into filaments. ADP–AC-actin participates in the nucleation and elongation of wild-type filaments only at very high concentrations. At low concentrations, ADP–AC-actin appears to participate only in the nucleation of wild-type filaments, suggesting that Ala-204 is involved in modulating the critical concentration of the pointed end of actin.

scholarly journals Direct observation of actin filament severing by gelsolin and binding by gCap39 and CapZ.

1991 ◽  
Vol 115 (6) ◽  
pp. 1629-1638 ◽  
Author(s):  
E L Bearer
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filament ◽  
Direct Observation ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Rhodamine Phalloidin ◽  
Capping Protein ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Definition Of

Dynamic behavior of actin filaments in cells is the basis of many different cellular activities. Remodeling of the actin filament network involves polymerization and depolymerization of the filaments. Proteins that regulate these behaviors include proteins that sever and/or cap actin filaments. This report presents direct observation of severing of fluorescently-labeled actin filaments. Coverslips coated with gelsolin, a multi-domain, calcium-dependent capping and severing protein, bound rhodamine-phalloidin-saturated filaments along their length in the presence of EGTA. Upon addition of calcium, attached filaments bent as they broke. Actophorin, a low molecular weight, monomer sequestering, calcium-independent severing protein did not sever phalloidin-saturated filaments. Both gCap 39, a gelsolin-like, calcium-dependent capping protein that does not sever filaments, and CapZ, a heterodimeric, non-calcium-dependent capping protein, bound the filaments by one end to the coverslip. Visualization of individual filaments also revealed severing activity present in mixtures of actin-binding proteins isolated by filamentous actin affinity chromatography from early Drosophila embryos. This activity was different from either gelsolin or actophorin because it was not inhibited by phalloidin, but was calcium independent. The results of these studies provide new information about the molecular mechanisms of severing and capping by well-characterized proteins as well as definition of a novel type of severing activity.

scholarly journals Cofilin is a pH sensor for actin free barbed end formation: role of phosphoinositide binding

2008 ◽  
Vol 183 (5) ◽  
pp. 865-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Frantz ◽  
Gabriela Barreiro ◽  
Laura Dominguez ◽  
Xiaoming Chen ◽  
Robert Eddy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filament ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Ph Sensor ◽  
Ph Sensitive ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Filament Dynamics ◽  
Ph Dependent ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

Newly generated actin free barbed ends at the front of motile cells provide sites for actin filament assembly driving membrane protrusion. Growth factors induce a rapid biphasic increase in actin free barbed ends, and we found both phases absent in fibroblasts lacking H+ efflux by the Na-H exchanger NHE1. The first phase is restored by expression of mutant cofilin-H133A but not unphosphorylated cofilin-S3A. Constant pH molecular dynamics simulations and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) reveal pH-sensitive structural changes in the cofilin C-terminal filamentous actin binding site dependent on His133. However, cofilin-H133A retains pH-sensitive changes in NMR spectra and severing activity in vitro, which suggests that it has a more complex behavior in cells. Cofilin activity is inhibited by phosphoinositide binding, and we found that phosphoinositide binding is pH-dependent for wild-type cofilin, with decreased binding at a higher pH. In contrast, phosphoinositide binding by cofilin-H133A is attenuated and pH insensitive. These data suggest a molecular mechanism whereby cofilin acts as a pH sensor to mediate a pH-dependent actin filament dynamics.

scholarly journals Actin-dependent regulation of the cardiac Na+/Ca2+ exchanger

2006 ◽  
Vol 290 (3) ◽  
pp. C691-C701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madalina Condrescu ◽  
John P. Reeves
Keyword(s):  
Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells ◽  
Chinese Hamster ◽  
Cytochalasin D ◽  
Lag Phase ◽  
Cell Contact ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Surface Distribution ◽  
Reverse Mode ◽  
Hydrophilic Domain

In the present study, the bovine cardiac Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX1.1) was expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The surface distribution of the exchanger protein, externally tagged with the hemagglutinin (HA) epitope, was associated with underlying actin filaments in regions of cell-to-cell contact and also along stress fibers. After we treated cells with cytochalasin D, NCX1.1 protein colocalized with patches of fragmented filamentous actin (F-actin). In contrast, an HA-tagged deletion mutant of NCX1.1 that was missing much of the exchanger's central hydrophilic domain Δ(241–680) did not associate with F-actin. In cells expressing the wild-type exchanger, cytochalasin D inhibited allosteric Ca2+ activation of NCX activity as shown by prolongation of the lag phase of low Ca2+ uptake after initiation of the reverse (i.e., Ca2+ influx) mode of NCX activity. Other agents that perturbed F-actin structure (methyl-β-cyclodextrin, latrunculin B, and jasplakinolide) also increased the duration of the lag phase. In contrast, when reverse-mode activity was initiated after allosteric Ca2+ activation, both cytochalasin D and methyl-β-cyclodextrin (Me-β-CD) stimulated NCX activity by ∼70%. The activity of the Δ(241–680) mutant, which does not require allosteric Ca2+ activation, was also stimulated by cytochalasin D and Me-β-CD. The increased activity after these treatments appeared to reflect an increased amount of exchanger protein at the cell surface. We conclude that wild-type NCX1.1 associates with the F-actin cytoskeleton, probably through interactions involving the exchanger's central hydrophilic domain, and that this association interferes with allosteric Ca2+ activation.

scholarly journals Cortical filamentous actin disassembly and scinderin redistribution during chromaffin cell stimulation precede exocytosis, a phenomenon not exhibited by gelsolin.

1991 ◽  
Vol 113 (5) ◽  
pp. 1057-1067 ◽  
Author(s):  
M L Vitale ◽  
A Rodríguez Del Castillo ◽  
L Tchakarov ◽  
J M Trifaró
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filament ◽  
Chromaffin Cells ◽  
Chromaffin Cell ◽  
Catecholamine Secretion ◽  
Cortical Region ◽  
Cortical Surface ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Cell Stimulation ◽  
Rhodamine Phalloidin ◽  
Filament Networks

Immunofluorescence and cytochemical studies have demonstrated that filamentous actin is mainly localized in the cortical surface of the chromaffin cell. It has been suggested that these actin filament networks act as a barrier to the secretory granules, impeding their contact with the plasma membrane. Stimulation of chromaffin cells produces a disassembly of actin filament networks, implying the removal of the barrier. The presence of gelsolin and scinderin, two Ca(2+)-dependent actin filament severing proteins, in the cortical surface of the chromaffin cells, suggests the possibility that cell stimulation brings about activation of one or more actin filament severing proteins with the consequent disruption of actin networks. Therefore, biochemical studies and fluorescence microscopy experiments with scinderin and gelsolin antibodies and rhodamine-phalloidin, a probe for filamentous actin, were performed in cultured chromaffin cells to study the distribution of scinderin, gelsolin, and filamentous actin during cell stimulation and to correlate the possible changes with catecholamine secretion. Here we report that during nicotinic stimulation or K(+)-evoked depolarization, subcortical scinderin but not gelsolin is redistributed and that this redistribution precedes catecholamine secretion. The rearrangement of scinderin in patches is mediated by nicotinic receptors. Cell stimulation produces similar patterns of distribution of scinderin and filamentous actin. However, after the removal of the stimulus, the recovery of scinderin cortical pattern of distribution is faster than F-actin reassembly, suggesting that scinderin is bound in the cortical region of the cell to a component other than F-actin. We also demonstrate that peripheral actin filament disassembly and subplasmalemmal scinderin redistribution are calcium-dependent events. Moreover, experiments with an antibody against dopamine-beta-hydroxylase suggest that exocytosis sites are preferentially localized to areas of F-actin disassembly.

scholarly journals Synthesis of Trypsin-Resistant Variants of the Listeria-Active Bacteriocin Salivaricin P

2010 ◽  
Vol 76 (16) ◽  
pp. 5356-5362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eileen F. O'Shea ◽  
Paula M. O'Connor ◽  
Paul D. Cotter ◽  
R. Paul Ross ◽  
Colin Hill
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Cleavage Sites ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Enhanced Resistance ◽  
Fold Reduction ◽  
Two Component ◽  
Specific Protease ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Protease Action

ABSTRACT Two-component salivaricin P-like bacteriocins have demonstrated potential as antimicrobials capable of controlling infections in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The anti-Listeria activity of salivaricin P is optimal when the individual peptides Sln1 and Sln2 are added in succession at a 1:1 ratio. However, as degradation by digestive proteases may compromise the functionality of these peptides within the GIT, we investigated the potential to create salivaricin variants with enhanced resistance to the intestinal protease trypsin. A total of 11 variants of the salivaricin P components, in which conservative modifications at the trypsin-specific cleavage sites were explored in order to protect the peptides from trypsin degradation while maintaining their potent antimicrobial activity, were generated. Analysis of these variants revealed that eight were resistant to trypsin digestion while retaining antimicrobial activity. Combining the complementary trypsin-resistant variants Sln1-5 and Sln2-3 resulted in a MIC50 of 300 nM against Listeria monocytogenes, a 3.75-fold reduction in activity compared to the level for wild-type salivaricin P. This study demonstrates the potential of engineering bacteriocin variants which are resistant to specific protease action but which retain significant antimicrobial activity.

scholarly journals αE-catenin actin-binding domain alters actin filament conformation and regulates binding of nucleation and disassembly factors

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (23) ◽  
pp. 3710-3720 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott D. Hansen ◽  
Adam V. Kwiatkowski ◽  
Chung-Yueh Ouyang ◽  
HongJun Liu ◽  
Sabine Pokutta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filament ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Filament Structure ◽  
Actin Binding Domain ◽  
Filament Bundles ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Cell Cell

The actin-binding protein αE-catenin may contribute to transitions between cell migration and cell–cell adhesion that depend on remodeling the actin cytoskeleton, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. We show that the αE-catenin actin-binding domain (ABD) binds cooperatively to individual actin filaments and that binding is accompanied by a conformational change in the actin protomer that affects filament structure. αE-catenin ABD binding limits barbed-end growth, especially in actin filament bundles. αE-catenin ABD inhibits actin filament branching by the Arp2/3 complex and severing by cofilin, both of which contact regions of the actin protomer that are structurally altered by αE-catenin ABD binding. In epithelial cells, there is little correlation between the distribution of αE-catenin and the Arp2/3 complex at developing cell–cell contacts. Our results indicate that αE-catenin binding to filamentous actin favors assembly of unbranched filament bundles that are protected from severing over more dynamic, branched filament arrays.

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