title: The N-terminal amphipathic helix of the topological specificity factor MinE is associated with shaping membrane curvature.
abstract: Pole-to-pole oscillations of the Min proteins in Escherichia coli are required for the proper placement of the division septum. Direct interaction of MinE with the cell membrane is critical for the dynamic behavior of the Min system. In vitro, this MinE-membrane interaction led to membrane deformation; however, the underlying mechanism remained unclear. Here we report that MinE-induced membrane deformation involves the formation of an amphipathic helix of MinE(2-9), which, together with the adjacent basic residues, function as membrane anchors. Biochemical evidence suggested that the membrane association induces formation of the helix, with the helical face, consisting of A2, L3, and F6, inserted into the membrane. Insertion of this helix into the cell membrane can influence local membrane curvature and lead to drastic changes in membrane topology. Accordingly, MinE showed characteristic features of protein-induced membrane tubulation and lipid clustering in in vitro reconstituted systems. In conclusion, MinE shares common protein signatures with a group of membrane trafficking proteins in eukaryotic cells. These MinE signatures appear to affect membrane curvature.
authors: Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan. ylshih10@gate.sinica.edu.tw
authors: Yu-Ling
authors: YL
authors: Shih
authors: Kai-Fa
authors: KF
authors: Huang
authors: Hsin-Mei
authors: HM
authors: Lai
authors: Jiahn-Haur
authors: JH
authors: Liao
authors: Chai-Siah
authors: CS
authors: Lee
authors: Chiao-Min
authors: CM
authors: Chang
authors: Huey-Ming
authors: HM
authors: Mak
authors: Cheng-Wei
authors: CW
authors: Hsieh
authors: Chu-Chi
authors: CC
authors: Lin
mesh_terms: D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D056004:Molecular Dynamics Simulation; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary
chemical_list: D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; C093548:MinE protein, E coli