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Structure and function of the Arp2/3 complex.

Abstract

The Arp2/3 complex, a 220 kDa macromolecular assembly comprising two actin-related proteins and five other subunits, plays a key role in cellular motility by initiating the polymerization of new actin filaments. Crystal and cryo-electron microscopic structures of the Arp2/3 complex and branch junctions have clarified extensive biochemical data on the mechanism of this process.

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BibTeXRIS

Thomas D Pollard, Christopher C Beltzner. 2002. Structure and function of the Arp2/3 complex.. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0959-440x(02)00396-2

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NMR analysis of methyl groups at 100-500 kDa: model systems and Arp2/3 complex.

Large macromolecular machines are among the most important and challenging targets for structural and mechanistic analyses. Consequently, there is great interest in development of NMR methods for the study of multicomponent systems in the 50-500 kDa range. Biochemical methods also must be developed in concert to produce such systems in selectively labeled form. Here, we present (1)H/(13)C-HSQC spectra of protonated methyl groups in a model system that mimics molecular weights up to approximately 560 kDa. Signals from side chain methyl groups of Ile, Leu, and Val residues are clearly detectable at correlation times up to approximately 330 ns. We have also developed a biochemical procedure to produce the 240 kDa, heteroheptameric Arp2/3 actin nucleation complex selectively labeled at one subunit and obtained (1)H/(13)C-HSQC spectra of this assembly. Sensitivity in spectra of both the Arp2/3 complex and the model system indicate that methyl groups will be useful sources of information in nonsymmetric systems with molecular weights greater than 600 kDa at concentrations less than 100 microM. Methyl analyses will complement TROSY and CRINEPT analyses of amides in NMR studies of structure and molecular interactions of extremely large macromolecules and assemblies.

Actin-Related Protein 2↗

Identification of the p16-Arc subunit of the Arp 2/3 complex as a substrate of MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 by proteomic analysis.

The p38 MAPK pathway regulates multiple neutrophil functional responses via activation of the serine-threonine kinase MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 (MAPKAPK2). To identify substrates of MAPKAPK2 that mediate these responses, a proteomic approach was used in which in vitro phosphorylation of neutrophil lysates by exogenously added active recombinant MAPKAPK2 was followed by protein separation using two-dimensional electrophoresis. Peptide mass fingerprinting of peptides defined by MALDI-MS was then utilized to identify phosphorylated proteins detected by autoradiography. Six candidate substrates were identified, including the p16 subunit of the seven-member Arp2/3 complex (p16-Arc). In vitro studies confirmed that MAPKAPK2 interacts with and phosphorylates the A isoform, but not the B isoform, of p16-Arc with a stoichiometry of 0.6 to 0.7. MAPKAPK2 also phosphorylated p16-Arc in intact Arp2/3 complexes precipitated from neutrophil lysates. Mutation of serine-77 to alanine on the A isoform prevented phosphorylation by MAPKAPK2. The ability of MAPKAPK2 to phosphorylate one isoform of p16-Arc suggests a possible mechanism by which the p38 MAPK cascade regulates remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton.

Actin-Related Protein 2↗

Negative regulation of yeast WASp by two SH3 domain-containing proteins.

BACKGROUND: WASp family proteins promote actin filament assembly by activating Arp2/3 complex and are regulated spatially and temporally to assemble specialized actin structures used in diverse cellular processes. Some WASp family members are autoinhibited until bound by activating ligands; however, regulation of the budding yeast WASp homolog (Las17/Bee1) has not yet been explored. RESULTS: We isolated full-length Las17 and characterized its biochemical activities on yeast Arp2/3 complex. Purified Las17 was not autoinhibited; in this respect, it is more similar to SCAR/WAVE than to WASp proteins. Las17 was a much stronger activator of Arp2/3 complex than its carboxyl-terminal (WA) fragment. In addition, actin polymerization stimulated by Las17-Arp2/3 was much less sensitive to the inhibitory effects of profilin compared to polymerization stimulated by WA-Arp2/3. Two SH3 domain-containing binding partners of Las17, Sla1 and Bbc1, were purified and were shown to cooperate in inhibiting Las17 activity. The two SLA1 SH3 domains required for this inhibitory activity in vitro were also required in vivo, in combination with BBC1, for cell viability and normal actin organization. CONCLUSIONS: Full-length Las17 is not autoinhibited and activates Arp2/3 complex more strongly than its WA domain alone, revealing an important role for the Las17 amino terminus in Arp2/3 complex activation. Two of the SH3 domain-containing ligands of Las17, Sla1 and Bbc1, cooperate to inhibit Las17 activity in vitro and are required for a shared function in actin organization in vivo. Our results show that, like SCAR/WAVE, WASp proteins can be controlled by negative regulation through the combined actions of multiple ligands.

Actin-Related Protein 2↗