2bvu
From Proteopedia
D83R MUTANT OF ASARIS SUUM MAJOR SPERM PROTEIN (MSP)
Overview
Although several models have been proposed to account for how cytoskeleton polymerization drives protrusion in cell motility, the precise mechanism remains controversial. Here, we show that, in addition to force exerted directly against the membrane by growing filaments, the way elongating filaments pack also contributes to protrusion by generating an expansion of the cytoskeleton gel. Tomography shows that filament packing in the major sperm protein (MSP) -based nematode sperm-motility machinery resembles that observed with rigid rods. Maximum rod-packing density decreases dramatically as the rods lengthen. Therefore, as filaments elongate, the cytoskeleton gel expands to accommodate their packing less densely. This volume expansion combines with polymerization to drive protrusion. Consistent with this hypothesis, an engineered MSP mutant that generates shorter filaments shows higher filament-packing density and slower movement.
About this Structure
2BVU is a Single protein structure of sequence from Ascaris suum. Full crystallographic information is available from OCA.
Reference
The role of filament-packing dynamics in powering amoeboid cell motility., Miao L, Vanderlinde O, Liu J, Grant RP, Wouterse A, Shimabukuro K, Philipse A, Stewart M, Roberts TM, Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Apr 8;105(14):5390-5. Epub 2008 Apr 2. PMID:18385381 Page seeded by OCA on Wed Apr 16 23:06:04 2008
