Molecular architecture of the Spire-actin nucleus and its implication for actin filament assembly

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Dec 6;108(49):19575-80. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1115465108. Epub 2011 Nov 21.

Abstract

The Spire protein is a multifunctional regulator of actin assembly. We studied the structures and properties of Spire-actin complexes by X-ray scattering, X-ray crystallography, total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, and actin polymerization assays. We show that Spire-actin complexes in solution assume a unique, longitudinal-like shape, in which Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein homology 2 domains (WH2), in an extended configuration, line up actins along the long axis of the core of the Spire-actin particle. In the complex, the kinase noncatalytic C-lobe domain is positioned at the side of the first N-terminal Spire-actin module. In addition, we find that preformed, isolated Spire-actin complexes are very efficient nucleators of polymerization and afterward dissociate from the growing filament. However, under certain conditions, all Spire constructs--even a single WH2 repeat--sequester actin and disrupt existing filaments. This molecular and structural mechanism of actin polymerization by Spire should apply to other actin-binding proteins that contain WH2 domains in tandem.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / chemistry*
  • Actin Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Actins / chemistry*
  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Drosophila Proteins / chemistry*
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Microfilament Proteins / chemistry*
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Models, Molecular
  • Multiprotein Complexes / chemistry
  • Multiprotein Complexes / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Scattering, Small Angle
  • Tandem Repeat Sequences
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Family / chemistry
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Family / metabolism
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Actins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Family
  • spir protein, Drosophila