The nature of the globular- to fibrous-actin transition
Abstract
Actin plays crucial parts in cell motility through a dynamic process driven by polymerization and depolymerization, that is, the globular (G) to fibrous (F) actin transition. Although our knowledge about the actin-based cellular functions and the molecules that regulate the G- to F-actin transition is growing, the structural aspects of the transition remain enigmatic. We created a model of F-actin using X-ray fibre diffraction intensities obtained from well oriented sols of rabbit skeletal muscle F-actin to 3.3Å in the radial direction and 5.6Å along the equator. Here we show that the G- to F-actin conformational transition is a simple relative rotation of the two major domains by about 20degrees. As a result of the domain rotation, the actin molecule in the filament is flat. The flat form is essential for the formation of stable, helical F-actin. Our F-actin structure model provides the basis for understanding actin polymerization as well as its molecular interactions with actin-binding proteins.
- Publication:
-
Nature
- Pub Date:
- January 2009
- DOI:
- 10.1038/nature07685
- Bibcode:
- 2009Natur.457..441O