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Molecular mechanism for direct actin force-sensing by α-catenin.
- Source :
-
eLife . 10/26/2020, p1-32. 32p. - Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- The actin cytoskeleton mediates mechanical coupling between cells and their tissue microenvironments. The architecture and composition of actin networks are modulated by force; however, it is unclear how interactions between actin filaments (F-actin) and associated proteins are mechanically regulated. Here we employ both optical trapping and biochemical reconstitution with myosin motor proteins to show single piconewton forces applied solely to F-actin enhance binding by the human version of the essential cell-cell adhesion protein aE-catenin but not its homolog vinculin. Cryo-electron microscopy structures of both proteins bound to F-actin reveal unique rearrangements that facilitate their flexible C-termini refolding to engage distinct interfaces. Truncating α-catenin's C-terminus eliminates force-activated F-actin binding, and addition of this motif to vinculin confers force-activated binding, demonstrating that α-catenin's C-terminus is a modular detector of F-actin tension. Our studies establish that piconewton force on F-actin can enhance partner binding, which we propose mechanically regulates cellular adhesion through α-catenin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2050084X
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- eLife
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 152115189
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.62514