title: Structure of the alpha-actinin rod: molecular basis for cross-linking of actin filaments.
abstract: We have determined the crystal structure of the two central repeats in the alpha-actinin rod at 2.5 A resolution. The repeats are connected by a helical linker and form a symmetric, antiparallel dimer in which the repeats are aligned rather than staggered. Using this structure, which reveals the structural principle that governs the architecture of alpha-actinin, we have devised a plausible model of the entire alpha-actinin rod. The electrostatic properties explain how the two alpha-actinin subunits assemble in an antiparallel fashion, placing the actin-binding sites at both ends of the rod. This molecular architecture results in a protein that is able to form cross-links between actin filaments.
authors.affiliation: Structural Biology Programme, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Djinović-Carugo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gautel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saraste
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000737:chemistry*; D000199:Actins / Q000737:chemistry*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D064211:Connectin; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D019281:Dimerization; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006801:Humans; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008667:Metalloproteins / Q000737:chemistry; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000737:chemistry; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D020449:Repetitive Sequences, Amino Acid; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D013049:Spectrin / Q000737:chemistry; D055672:Static Electricity; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D016608:Talin / Q000737:chemistry; D016596:Vinculin / Q000737:chemistry; D060589:Zyxin
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D064211:Connectin; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008667:Metalloproteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C577285:TTN protein, human; D016608:Talin; C092842:ZYX protein, human; D060589:Zyxin; D016596:Vinculin; D013049:Spectrin; D011494:Protein Kinases