Biomaterial Database

The functionally distinct fission yeast formins have specific actin-assembly properties. 2011

Bonnie J Scott, and Erin M Neidt, and David R Kovar

Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.

Fission yeast expresses three formins required for distinct actin cytoskeletal processes: Cdc12 (cytokinesis), For3 (polarization), and Fus1 (mating). We propose that in addition to differential regulation, key actin-assembly properties tailor formins for a particular role. In direct comparison to the well-studied Cdc12, we report the first in vitro characterization of the actin-assembly properties of For3 and Fus1. All three share fundamental formin activities; however, particular reaction rates vary significantly. Cdc12 is an efficient nucleator (one filament per approximately 3 Cdc12 dimers) that processively elongates profilin-actin at a moderate rate of 10 subunits s(-1) μM(-1), but lacks filament-bundling activity. Fus1 is also an efficient nucleator, yet processively elongates profilin-actin at one-half the rate of and dissociates 10-fold more rapidly than Cdc12; it also bundles filaments. For3 nucleates filaments 100-fold less well than Fus1, but like Cdc12, processively elongates profilin-actin at a moderate rate and lacks filament-bundling activity. Additionally, both the formin homology FH1 and FH2 domains contribute to the overall rate of profilin-actin elongation. We also confirmed the physiological importance of the actin-assembly activity of the fission yeast formins. Point mutants that disrupt their ability to stimulate actin assembly in vitro do not function properly in vivo.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008856	Microscopy, Fluorescence	Microscopy of specimens stained with fluorescent dye (usually fluorescein isothiocyanate) or of naturally fluorescent materials, which emit light when exposed to ultraviolet or blue light. Immunofluorescence microscopy utilizes antibodies that are labeled with fluorescent dye.	Fluorescence Microscopy,Immunofluorescence Microscopy,Microscopy, Immunofluorescence,Fluorescence Microscopies,Immunofluorescence Microscopies,Microscopies, Fluorescence,Microscopies, Immunofluorescence
D009154	Mutation	Any detectable and heritable change in the genetic material that causes a change in the GENOTYPE and which is transmitted to daughter cells and to succeeding generations.	Mutations
D010957	Plasmids	Extrachromosomal, usually CIRCULAR DNA molecules that are self-replicating and transferable from one organism to another. They are found in a variety of bacterial, archaeal, fungal, algal, and plant species. They are used in GENETIC ENGINEERING as CLONING VECTORS.	Episomes,Episome,Plasmid
D011485	Protein Binding	The process in which substances, either endogenous or exogenous, bind to proteins, peptides, enzymes, protein precursors, or allied compounds. Specific protein-binding measures are often used as assays in diagnostic assessments.	Plasma Protein Binding Capacity,Binding, Protein
D003598	Cytoskeletal Proteins	Major constituent of the cytoskeleton found in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. They form a flexible framework for the cell, provide attachment points for organelles and formed bodies, and make communication between parts of the cell possible.	Proteins, Cytoskeletal
D003599	Cytoskeleton	The network of filaments, tubules, and interconnecting filamentous bridges which give shape, structure, and organization to the cytoplasm.	Cytoplasmic Filaments,Cytoskeletal Filaments,Microtrabecular Lattice,Cytoplasmic Filament,Cytoskeletal Filament,Cytoskeletons,Filament, Cytoplasmic,Filament, Cytoskeletal,Filaments, Cytoplasmic,Filaments, Cytoskeletal,Lattice, Microtrabecular,Lattices, Microtrabecular,Microtrabecular Lattices
D000080865	Formins	A family of multidomain microfilament proteins associated with ACTIN FILAMENTS. They generally have multiple Formin-Homology domains (e.g., FH2 domain) and additionally have a RhoGTPase-binding domain and a diaphanous inhibitory domain. Formins and homologs are involved in actin reorganization.	DIAPH Protein 1,DIAPH Protein 2,DIAPH Proteins,Diaphanous-Related Formin Homology Proteins,Diaphanous-Related Formins,FMN Protein 1,FMN Protein 2,FMN Proteins,Formin,Formin 1 Protein,Formin 2 Protein,Formin Homology Proteins,Diaphanous Related Formin Homology Proteins,Diaphanous Related Formins,Formins, Diaphanous-Related
D000199	Actins	Filamentous proteins that are the main constituent of the thin filaments of muscle fibers. The filaments (known also as filamentous or F-actin) can be dissociated into their globular subunits; each subunit is composed of a single polypeptide 375 amino acids long. This is known as globular or G-actin. In conjunction with MYOSINS, actin is responsible for the contraction and relaxation of muscle.	F-Actin,G-Actin,Actin,Isoactin,N-Actin,alpha-Actin,alpha-Isoactin,beta-Actin,gamma-Actin,F Actin,G Actin,N Actin,alpha Actin,alpha Isoactin,beta Actin,gamma Actin
D012568	Schizosaccharomyces	A genus of ascomycetous fungi of the family Schizosaccharomycetaceae, order Schizosaccharomycetales.	Fission Yeast,Schizosaccharomyces malidevorans,Schizosaccharomyces pombe,Yeast, Fission,S pombe,Fission Yeasts
D014161	Transduction, Genetic	The transfer of bacterial DNA by phages from an infected bacterium to another bacterium. This also refers to the transfer of genes into eukaryotic cells by viruses. This naturally occurring process is routinely employed as a GENE TRANSFER TECHNIQUE.	Genetic Transduction,Genetic Transductions,Transductions, Genetic