title: Characterization of the actin binding properties of the vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein VASP.
abstract: The vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) colocalizes with the ends of stress fibers in cell-matrix and cell-cell contacts. We report here that bacterially expressed murine VASP directly interacts with skeletal muscle actin in several test systems including cosedimentation, viscometry and polymerization assays. It nucleates actin polymerization and tightly bundles actin filaments. The interaction with actin is salt-sensitive, indicating that the complex formation is primarily based on electrostatic interactions. Actin binding is confined to the C-terminal domain of VASP (EVH2). This domain, when expressed as a fusion protein with EGFP, associates with stress fibers in transiently transfected cells.
authors.affiliation: Cell Biology, Zoological Institute, Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hüttelmaier
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Harbeck
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Steffens
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Messerschmidt
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Illenberger
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Jockusch
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism*; D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002712:Chlorides / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017895:Manganese Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000378:metabolism; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection; D000098662:Vasodilator-Stimulated Phosphoprotein
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D002712:Chlorides; D017895:Manganese Compounds; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D000098662:Vasodilator-Stimulated Phosphoprotein; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D011189:Potassium Chloride; C025340:manganese chloride