title: Septin-mediated uniform bracing of phospholipid membranes.
abstract: Cell shape is determined by the interplay between the lipid bilayer and the underlying network of protein polymers. We explored unknown determinants involved in cell morphogenesis as factors that transform phospholipid-based liposomes (diameter 5-20 microm). Unlabeled giant liposomes, observed through dark-field optics, were metastable in an aqueous suspension. In contrast, liposomes robustly protruded uniform tubules immediately after the addition of a brain extract to the suspension. The tubulation reaction was greatly facilitated when the liposomes contained PIP or PIP2. Biochemical analysis of the brain extract revealed that heteromeric complexes of septins, a family of polymerizing GTP/GDP-binding proteins, are responsible for the membrane transformation. Ultrastructural analysis established that each membrane tubule (diameter 0.43 +/- 0.079 microm) is braced by a circumferential array of septin filaments. Although submembranous septin assemblies are associated with diverse cortical morphogenesis from yeast to mammals, the biophysical basis for the septin-membrane interplay remains largely unknown. Further, there is a biochemical discrepancy between the fast septin remodeling in cells and their slow self-assembly in vitro. This membrane-facilitated fast septin assembly demonstrated for the first time by our unique experimental system should provide important clues to characterize these processes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8602, Japan.
authors.forename: Yohko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tanaka-Takiguchi
authors.forename: Makato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kinoshita
authors.forename: Kingo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takiguchi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D008081:Liposomes; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D010743:Phospholipids; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D021122:Protein Subunits; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases