Publications by authors named "Anna M Ducka"
Molecular architecture of the Spire-actin nucleus and its implication for actin filament assembly.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
December 2011
Article Synopsis
- The Spire protein effectively regulates actin assembly through unique structural complexes with actin, which were analyzed using various advanced microscopy and scattering techniques.
- Spire-actin complexes feature a distinctive shape where WH2 domains align actins, promoting efficient nucleation for polymerization but potentially disrupting existing filaments under specific conditions.
- This study suggests that the molecular mechanisms identified for Spire could also relate to other proteins with similar WH2 domain configurations in their actin interactions.
Article Synopsis
- Three types of proteins can initiate filament formation: the Arp2/3 complex, formins, and proteins with actin-binding WH2 domains, like Spire.
- Crystal structures of various Spire constructs reveal how they interact with actin, showing that the Spire CD domain is the smallest unit needed for actin nucleation.
- The structures formed by Spire have open configurations that differ from the tighter arrangements found in other nucleating proteins and in filamentous actin, indicating a unique way of starting filament growth.