An atomic model of actin filaments cross-linked by fimbrin and its implications for bundle assembly and function.

ABSTRACT: Actin bundles have profound effects on cellular shape, division, adhesion, motility, and signaling. Fimbrin belongs to a large family of actin-bundling proteins and is involved in the formation of tightly ordered cross-linked bundles in the brush border microvilli and in the stereocilia of inner ear hair cells. Polymorphism in these three-dimensional (3D) bundles has prevented the detailed structural characterization required for in-depth understanding of their morphogenesis and function. Here, we describe the structural characterization of two-dimensional arrays of actin cross-linked with human T-fimbrin. Structural information obtained by electron microscopy, x-ray crystallography, and homology modeling allowed us to build the first molecular model for the complete actin-fimbrin cross-li

SUBMITTER: Volkmann N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2174342 | biostudies-literature | 2001 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature