Identification and characterization of espin, an actin-binding protein localized to the F-actin-rich junctional plaques of Sertoli cell ectoplasmic specializations

1996 ◽  
Vol 109 (6) ◽  
pp. 1229-1239 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.R. Bartles ◽  
A. Wierda ◽  
L. Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Sertoli Cell ◽  
Sertoli Cells ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Immunogold Electron Microscopy ◽  
Actin Bundles ◽  
Actin Binding Protein

Ectoplasmic specializations are membrane-cytoskeletal assemblages found in Sertoli cells at sites of attachment to elongate spermatids or neighboring Sertoli cells. They are characterized in part by the presence of a unique junctional plaque which contains a narrow layer of parallel actin bundles sandwiched between the Sertoli cell plasma membrane and an affiliated cistern of endoplasmic reticulum. Using a monoclonal antibody, we have identified ‘espin,’ a novel actin-binding protein localized to ectoplasmic specializations. By immunogold electron microscopy, espin was localized to the parallel actin bundles of ectoplasmic specializations at sites where Sertoli cells contacted the heads of elongate spermatids. The protein was also detected at the sites of ectoplasmic specializations between neighboring Sertoli cells. Espin exhibits an apparent molecular mass of approximately 110 kDa in SDS gels. It is encoded by an approximately 2.9 kb mRNA, which was found to be specific to testis among the 11 rat organs and tissues examined. On the basis of cDNA sequence, espin is predicted to be an 836 amino acid protein which contains 8 ankyrin-like repeats in its N-terminal third, a potential P-loop, two proline-rich peptides and two peptides which contain clusters of multiple glutamates bracketed by arginines, lysines and glutamines in a pattern reminiscent of the repetitive motif found in the protein trichohyalin. The ankyrin-like repeats and a 66 amino acid peptide in the C terminus show significant sequence similarity to proteins encoded by the forked gene of Drosophila. A fusion protein containing the C-terminal 378 amino acids of espin was found to bind with high affinity (Kd = approximately 10 nM) to F-actin in vitro with a stoichiometry of approximately 1 espin per 6 actin monomers. When expressed by transfected NRK fibroblasts, the same C-terminal fragment of espin was observed to decorate actin fibers or cables. On the basis of its structure, localization and properties, we hypothesize that espin is involved in linking actin filaments to each other or to membranes, thereby potentially playing a key role in the organization and function of the ectoplasmic specialization.

scholarly journals Actin dynamics regulate subcellular localization of the F-actin-binding protein PALLD in mouse Sertoli cells

Reproduction ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 148 (4) ◽  
pp. 333-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan A Niedenberger ◽  
Vesna A Chappell ◽  
Carol A Otey ◽  
Christopher B Geyer
Keyword(s):  
Subcellular Localization ◽  
Sertoli Cell ◽  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Sertoli Cells ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Terminal Differentiation ◽  
Mutant Mice ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Actin Binding Protein ◽  
Receptor Mutant

Sertoli cells undergo terminal differentiation at puberty to support all phases of germ cell development, which occurs in the mouse beginning in the second week of life. By ∼18 dayspostpartum(dpp), nearly all Sertoli cells have ceased proliferation. This terminal differentiation is accompanied by the development of unique and regionally concentrated filamentous actin (F-actin) structures at the basal and apical aspects of the seminiferous epithelium, and this reorganization is likely to involve the action of actin-binding proteins. Palladin (PALLD) is a widely expressed F-actin-binding and bundling protein recently shown to regulate these structures, yet it is predominantly nuclear in Sertoli cells at puberty. We found that PALLD localized within nuclei of primary Sertoli cells grown in serum-free media but relocalized to the cytoplasm upon serum stimulation. We utilized this system within vivorelevance to Sertoli cell development to investigate mechanisms regulating nuclear localization of this F-actin-binding protein. Our results indicate that PALLD can be shuttled from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, and that this relocalization occurred following depolymerization of the F-actin cytoskeleton in response to cAMP signaling. Nuclear localization was reduced inHpg-mutant testes, suggesting the involvement of gonadotropin signaling. We found that PALLD nuclear localization was unaffected in testis tissues from LH receptor and androgen receptor-mutant mice. However, PALLD nuclear localization was reduced in the testes of FSH receptor-mutant mice, suggesting that FSH signaling during Sertoli cell maturation regulates this subcellular localization.

scholarly journals Ezrin is an Actin Binding Protein That Regulates Sertoli Cell and Spermatid Adhesion During Spermatogenesis

Endocrinology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 155 (10) ◽  
pp. 3981-3995 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Ece Gungor-Ordueri ◽  
Elizabeth I. Tang ◽  
Ciler Celik-Ozenci ◽  
C. Yan Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Sertoli Cell ◽  
Sertoli Cells ◽  
Adherens Junction ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Permeability Barrier ◽  
Tight Junction Permeability ◽  
Residual Bodies ◽  
Cell Interface

Abstract During spermatogenesis, the transport of spermatids and the release of sperms at spermiation and the remodeling of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) in the seminiferous epithelium of rat testes require rapid reorganization of the actin-based cytoskeleton. However, the mechanism(s) and the regulatory molecule(s) remain unexplored. Herein we report findings that unfold the functional significance of ezrin in the organization of the testis-specific adherens junction at the spermatid-Sertoli cell interface called apical ectoplasmic specialization (ES) in the adluminal compartment and the Sertoli cell-cell interface known as basal ES at the BTB. Ezrin is expressed at the basal ES/BTB in all stages, except from late VIII to IX, of the epithelial cycle. Its knockdown by RNA interference (RNAi) in vitro perturbs the Sertoli cell tight junction-permeability barrier via a disruption of the actin microfilaments in Sertoli cells, which in turn impeded basal ES protein (eg, N-cadherin) distribution, perturbing the BTB function. These findings were confirmed by a knockdown study in vivo. However, the expression of ezrin at the apical ES is restricted to stage VIII of the cycle and limited only between step 19 spermatids and Sertoli cells. A knockdown of ezrin in vivo by RNAi was found to impede spermatid transport, causing defects in spermiation in which spermatids were embedded deep inside the epithelium, and associated with a loss of spermatid polarity. Also, ezrin was associated with residual bodies and phagosomes, and its knockdown by RNAi in the testis also impeded the transport of residual bodies/phagosomes from the apical to the basal compartment. In summary, ezrin is involved in regulating actin microfilament organization at the ES in rat testes.

scholarly journals Direct regulation of Arp2/3 complex activity and function by the actin binding protein coronin

2002 ◽  
Vol 159 (6) ◽  
pp. 993-1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine L. Humphries ◽  
Heath I. Balcer ◽  
Jessica L. D'Agostino ◽  
Barbara Winsor ◽  
David G. Drubin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Binding Protein ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Complex Activity ◽  
Actin Binding Protein ◽  
Coiled Coil Domain ◽  
Allele Specific ◽  
And Function

Mechanisms for activating the actin-related protein 2/3 (Arp2/3) complex have been the focus of many recent studies. Here, we identify a novel mode of Arp2/3 complex regulation mediated by the highly conserved actin binding protein coronin. Yeast coronin (Crn1) physically associates with the Arp2/3 complex and inhibits WA- and Abp1-activated actin nucleation in vitro. The inhibition occurs specifically in the absence of preformed actin filaments, suggesting that Crn1 may restrict Arp2/3 complex activity to the sides of filaments. The inhibitory activity of Crn1 resides in its coiled coil domain. Localization of Crn1 to actin patches in vivo and association of Crn1 with the Arp2/3 complex also require its coiled coil domain. Genetic studies provide in vivo evidence for these interactions and activities. Overexpression of CRN1 causes growth arrest and redistribution of Arp2 and Crn1p into aberrant actin loops. These defects are suppressed by deletion of the Crn1 coiled coil domain and by arc35-26, an allele of the p35 subunit of the Arp2/3 complex. Further in vivo evidence that coronin regulates the Arp2/3 complex comes from the observation that crn1 and arp2 mutants display an allele-specific synthetic interaction. This work identifies a new form of regulation of the Arp2/3 complex and an important cellular function for coronin.

scholarly journals Espin Contains an Additional Actin-binding Site in Its N Terminus and Is a Major Actin-bundling Protein of the Sertoli Cell–Spermatid Ectoplasmic Specialization Junctional Plaque

1999 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4327-4339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Chen ◽  
Anli Li ◽  
Dennis Wang ◽  
Min Wang ◽  
Lili Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Binding Site ◽  
Sertoli Cell ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Actin Stress Fiber ◽  
Splice Isoforms ◽  
Actin Bundles ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
Ectoplasmic Specialization ◽  
Actin Binding Site

The espins are actin-binding and -bundling proteins localized to parallel actin bundles. The 837-amino-acid “espin” of Sertoli cell–spermatid junctions (ectoplasmic specializations) and the 253-amino-acid “small espin” of brush border microvilli are splice isoforms that share a C-terminal 116-amino-acid actin-bundling module but contain different N termini. To investigate the roles of espin and its extended N terminus, we examined the actin-binding and -bundling properties of espin constructs and the stoichiometry and developmental accumulation of espin within the ectoplasmic specialization. An espin construct bound to F-actin with an approximately threefold higher affinity (K d = ∼70 nM) than small espin and was ∼2.5 times more efficient at forming bundles. The increased affinity appeared to be due to an additional actin-binding site in the N terminus of espin. This additional actin-binding site bound to F-actin with a K d of ∼1 μM, decorated actin stress fiber-like structures in transfected cells, and was mapped to a peptide between the two proline-rich peptides in the N terminus of espin. Espin was detected at ∼4–5 × 106 copies per ectoplasmic specialization, or ∼1 espin per 20 actin monomers and accumulated there coincident with the formation of parallel actin bundles during spermiogenesis. These results suggest that espin is a major actin-bundling protein of the Sertoli cell–spermatid ectoplasmic specialization.

A Novel Human Actin-Binding Protein Homologue That Binds to Platelet Glycoprotein Ib

Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 1268-1276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-feng Xu ◽  
Zhi-wei Xie ◽  
Dominic W. Chung ◽  
Earl W. Davie
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Intracellular Domain ◽  
Platelet Surface ◽  
Full Length Cdna ◽  
Actin Binding Protein ◽  
Amino Terminal

Glycoprotein (GP)Ib-IX-V is one of the major transmembrane complexes present on the platelet surface. Its extracellular domain binds von Willebrand factor (vWF) and thrombin, while its intracellular domain associates tightly with the cytoskeleton through the actin-binding protein (ABP)-280, also known as filamin. In the present study, a full-length cDNA coding for a human ABP homologue has been cloned and sequenced. This protein was identified by the yeast two-hybrid screening procedure via its interaction with the intracellular domain of GPIb. Initially, a 1.3-kb partial cDNA was isolated from a megakaryocyte-like cell line (K562) cDNA library followed by a full-length cDNA of 9.4 kb that was identified in a human placenta library. The full-length cDNA encoded a protein of 2,578 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 276 kD (ABP-276). The amino terminal 248 amino acids contained an apparent actin binding domain followed by 24 tandem repeats each containing about 96 amino acids. The amino acid sequence of the protein shared a high degree of homology with human endothelial ABP-280 (70% identity) and chicken filamin (83% identity). However, the 32 amino acid Hinge I region in ABP-280 that contains a calpain cleavage site conferring flexibility on the molecule, was absent in the homologue. An isoform containing a 24 amino acid insertion with a unique sequence at the missing Hinge I region was also identified (ABP-278). This isoform resulted from alternative RNA splicing. ABP-276 and/or ABP-278 were present in all tissues examined, but the relative amount varied in that some tissue contained both forms, while other tissue contained predominately one or the other. © 1998 by The American Society of Hematology.

scholarly journals nPIST: A Novel Actin Binding Protein of trans-Golgi Network

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swagata Das ◽  
Priyanka Dutta ◽  
Mohit Mazumder ◽  
Soma Seal ◽  
Kheerthana Duraivelan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sequence Analysis ◽  
Purkinje Cells ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Vesicular Trafficking ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Perinuclear Region ◽  
Actin Binding Protein ◽  
Golgi Network

Abstractnpist is the neuronal isoform of PIST, a trans-golgi associated protein involved in major modulation of vesicular trafficking. nPIST interacts with glutamate delta2 receptor (GluRδ2) in Purkinje cells. Our study shows nPIST as a novel actin binding protein. Our structure based sequence analysis shows nPIST contains one WH2-like domain. Further our experimental analysis illustrates that fragment of nPIST consisting of WH2-like domain binds to actin. Moreover it was found that nPIST contains several regions involved in interaction with actin. The binding of nPIST to actin through multiple actin binding regions facilitated actin filament stabilization in vitro. In vivo, nPIST localized actin in perinuclear region as a blotch when ectopically expressed.

scholarly journals The Actin Binding Protein Plastin-3 Is Involved in the Pathogenesis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arne Velthaus ◽  
Kerstin Cornils ◽  
Jan K. Hennigs ◽  
Saskia Grüb ◽  
Hauke Stamm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Bone Marrow Niche ◽  
Actin Binding Protein ◽  
Acute Myeloid

Leukemia-initiating cells reside within the bone marrow in specialized niches where they undergo complex interactions with their surrounding stromal cells. We have identified the actin-binding protein Plastin-3 (PLS3) as potential player within the leukemic bone marrow niche and investigated its functional role in acute myeloid leukemia. High expression of PLS3 was associated with a poor overall and event-free survival for AML patients. These findings were supported by functional in vitro and in vivo experiments. AML cells with a PLS3 knockdown showed significantly reduced colony numbers in vitro while the PLS3 overexpression variants resulted in significantly enhanced colony numbers compared to their respective controls. Furthermore, the survival of NSG mice transplanted with the PLS3 knockdown cells showed a significantly prolonged survival in comparison to mice transplanted with the control AML cells. Further studies should focus on the underlying leukemia-promoting mechanisms and investigate PLS3 as therapeutic target.

scholarly journals αII-Spectrin interacts with Tes and EVL, two actin-binding proteins located at cell contacts

2005 ◽  
Vol 388 (2) ◽  
pp. 631-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn ROTTER ◽  
Odile BOURNIER ◽  
Gael NICOLAS ◽  
Didier DHERMY ◽  
Marie-Christine LECOMTE
Keyword(s):  
Binding Protein ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Membrane Skeleton ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Actin Binding Protein ◽  
Src Homology 3 ◽  
Src Homology 3 Domain ◽  
Src Homology

The spectrin-based membrane skeleton, a multi-protein scaffold attached to diverse cellular membranes, is presumed to be involved in the stabilization of membranes, the establishment of membrane domains as well as in vesicle trafficking and nuclear functions. Spectrin tetramers made of α- and β-subunits are linked to actin microfilaments, forming a network that binds a multitude of proteins. The most prevalent α-spectrin subunit in non-erythroid cells, αII-spectrin, contains two particular spectrin repeats in its central region, α9 and α10, which host an Src homology 3 domain, a tissue-specific spliced sequence of 20 residues, a calmodulin-binding site and major cleavage sites for caspases and calpains. Using yeast two-hybrid screening of kidney libraries, we identified two partners of the α9-α10 repeats: the potential tumour suppressor Tes, an actin-binding protein mainly located at focal adhesions; and EVL (Ena/vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein-like protein), another actin-binding protein, equally recruited at focal adhesions. Interactions between spectrin and overexpressed Tes and EVL were confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation. In vitro studies showed that the interaction between Tes and spectrin is mediated by a LIM (Lin-11, Isl-1 and Mec3) domain of Tes and by the α10 repeat of αII-spectrin whereas EVL interacts with the Src homology 3 domain located within the α9 repeat. Moreover, we describe an in vitro interaction between Tes and EVL, and a co-localization of these two proteins at focal adhesions. These interactions between αII-spectrin, Tes and EVL indicate new functions for spectrin in actin dynamics and focal adhesions.

scholarly journals Microtubule-associated Protein 2c Reorganizes Both Microtubules and Microfilaments into Distinct Cytological Structures in an Actin-binding Protein-280–deficient Melanoma Cell Line

1997 ◽  
Vol 136 (4) ◽  
pp. 845-857 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Casey Cunningham ◽  
Nicole Leclerc ◽  
Lisa A. Flanagan ◽  
Mei Lu ◽  
Paul A. Janmey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Melanoma Cell ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Growth Cones ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Actin Binding Protein ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Rheologic Property ◽  
Neuronal Growth Cones

The emergence of processes from cells often involves interactions between microtubules and microfilaments. Interactions between these two cytoskeletal systems are particularly apparent in neuronal growth cones. The juvenile isoform of the neuronal microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2c) is present in growth cones, where we hypothesize it mediates interactions between microfilaments and microtubules. To approach this problem in vivo, we used the human melanoma cell, M2, which lacks actin-binding protein-280 (ABP-280) and forms membrane blebs, which are not seen in wild-type or ABP-transfected cells. The microinjection of tau or mature MAP2 rescued the blebbing phenotype; MAP2c not only caused cessation of blebbing but also induced the formation of two distinct cellular structures. These were actin-rich lamellae, which often included membrane ruffles, and microtubule-bearing processes. The lamellae collapsed after treatment with cytochalasin D, and the processes retracted after treatment with colchicine. MAP2c was immunocytochemically visualized in zones of the cell that were devoid of tubulin, such as regions within the lamellae and in association with membrane ruffles. In vitro rheometry confirmed that MAP2c is an efficient actin gelation protein capable of organizing actin filaments into an isotropic array at very low concentrations; tau and mature MAP2 do not share this rheologic property. These results suggest that MAP2c engages in functionally specific interactions not only with microtubules but also with microfilaments.

scholarly journals The actin-binding protein Hip1R associates with clathrin during early stages of endocytosis and promotes clathrin assembly in vitro

2001 ◽  
Vol 154 (6) ◽  
pp. 1209-1224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Åsa E.Y. Engqvist-Goldstein ◽  
Robin A. Warren ◽  
Michael M. Kessels ◽  
James H. Keen ◽  
John Heuser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Binding Protein ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Cell Cortex ◽  
Coated Pits ◽  
Actin Binding Protein ◽  
Real Time Analysis

Huntingtin-interacting protein 1 related (Hip1R) is a novel component of clathrin-coated pits and vesicles and is a mammalian homologue of Sla2p, an actin-binding protein important for both actin organization and endocytosis in yeast. Here, we demonstrate that Hip1R binds via its putative central coiled-coil domain to clathrin, and provide evidence that Hip1R and clathrin are associated in vivo at sites of endocytosis. First, real-time analysis of Hip1R–YFP and DsRed–clathrin light chain (LC) in live cells revealed that these proteins show almost identical temporal and spatial regulation at the cell cortex. Second, at the ultrastructure level, immunogold labeling of ‘unroofed’ cells showed that Hip1R localizes to clathrin-coated pits. Third, overexpression of Hip1R affected the subcellular distribution of clathrin LC. Consistent with a functional role for Hip1R in endocytosis, we also demonstrated that it promotes clathrin cage assembly in vitro. Finally, we showed that Hip1R is a rod-shaped apparent dimer with globular heads at either end, and that it can assemble clathrin-coated vesicles and F-actin into higher order structures. In total, Hip1R's properties suggest an early endocytic function at the interface between clathrin, F-actin, and lipids.

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