Biomaterial Database

Arp2/3 complex from Acanthamoeba binds profilin and cross-links actin filaments. 1998

R D Mullins, and J F Kelleher, and J Xu, and T D Pollard

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla California 92037, USA.

The Arp2/3 complex was first purified from Acanthamoeba castellanii by profilin affinity chromatography. The mechanism of interaction with profilin was unknown but was hypothesized to be mediated by either Arp2 or Arp3. Here we show that the Arp2 subunit of the complex can be chemically cross-linked to the actin-binding site of profilin. By analytical ultracentrifugation, rhodamine-labeled profilin binds Arp2/3 complex with a Kd of 7 microM, an affinity intermediate between the low affinity of profilin for barbed ends of actin filaments and its high affinity for actin monomers. These data suggest the barbed end of Arp2 is exposed, but Arp2 and Arp3 are not packed together in the complex exactly like two actin monomers in a filament. Arp2/3 complex also cross-links actin filaments into small bundles and isotropic networks, which are mechanically stiffer than solutions of actin filaments alone. Arp2/3 complex is concentrated at the leading edge of motile Acanthamoeba, and its localization is distinct from that of alpha-actinin, another filament cross-linking protein. Based on localization and actin filament nucleation and cross-linking activities, we propose a role for Arp2/3 in determining the structure of the actin filament network at the leading edge of motile cells.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008840	Microfilament Proteins	Monomeric subunits of primarily globular ACTIN and found in the cytoplasmic matrix of almost all cells. They are often associated with microtubules and may play a role in cytoskeletal function and/or mediate movement of the cell or the organelles within the cell.	Actin Binding Protein,Actin-Binding Protein,Actin-Binding Proteins,Microfilament Protein,Actin Binding Proteins,Binding Protein, Actin,Protein, Actin Binding,Protein, Actin-Binding,Protein, Microfilament,Proteins, Actin-Binding,Proteins, Microfilament
D002465	Cell Movement	The movement of cells from one location to another. Distinguish from CYTOKINESIS which is the process of dividing the CYTOPLASM of a cell.	Cell Migration,Locomotion, Cell,Migration, Cell,Motility, Cell,Movement, Cell,Cell Locomotion,Cell Motility,Cell Movements,Movements, Cell
D003285	Contractile Proteins	Proteins which participate in contractile processes. They include MUSCLE PROTEINS as well as those found in other cells and tissues. In the latter, these proteins participate in localized contractile events in the cytoplasm, in motile activity, and in cell aggregation phenomena.	Contractile Protein,Protein, Contractile,Proteins, Contractile
D003432	Cross-Linking Reagents	Reagents with two reactive groups, usually at opposite ends of the molecule, that are capable of reacting with and thereby forming bridges between side chains of amino acids in proteins; the locations of naturally reactive areas within proteins can thereby be identified; may also be used for other macromolecules, like glycoproteins, nucleic acids, or other.	Bifunctional Reagent,Bifunctional Reagents,Cross Linking Reagent,Crosslinking Reagent,Cross Linking Reagents,Crosslinking Reagents,Linking Reagent, Cross,Linking Reagents, Cross,Reagent, Bifunctional,Reagent, Cross Linking,Reagent, Crosslinking,Reagents, Bifunctional,Reagents, Cross Linking,Reagents, Cross-Linking,Reagents, Crosslinking
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
D000048	Acanthamoeba	A genus of free-living soil amoebae that produces no flagellate stage. Its organisms are pathogens for several infections in humans and have been found in the eye, bone, brain, and respiratory tract.	Acanthamoebas
D000185	Actinin	A protein factor that regulates the length of R-actin. It is chemically similar, but immunochemically distinguishable from actin.	alpha-Actinin,Eu-Actinin,beta-Actinin,Eu Actinin,alpha Actinin,beta Actinin
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
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D051304	Profilins	A family of low molecular weight proteins that bind ACTIN and control actin polymerization. They are found in eukaryotes and are ubiquitously expressed.	Profilin,Profilin 1,Profilin 2,Profilin 3,Profilin 4,Profilin I,Profilin Proteins,Profilin-1,Profilin-2,Profilin-3,Profilin-4