title: Integrity of kindlin-2 FERM subdomains is required for supporting integrin activation.
abstract: Kindlin family members are essential for supporting integrin activation by functionally cooperating with the talin head domain. Both the talin head and kindlin are FERM domain-containing proteins that can simultaneously interact with the integrin β cytoplasmic tails. While the talin head is well studied, the molecular basis of kindlin's interaction with integrin during integrin activation is still poorly understood. Here we defined the subdomain boundaries in kindlin-2 and evaluated their contribution to integrin activation and recognition. We found that each subdomain in kindlin-2 was required for co-activating the integrin αIIbβ3 together with the talin head (inside-out signaling) and for enhancing integrin αIIbβ3-mediated cell spreading (outside-in signaling). To evaluate the involvement of the kindlin-2 subdomains in integrin interaction, we developed a FACS-based binding assay and found that an intact FERM domain in kindlin-2 was required for the interaction. Taking all together, these findings suggest that the integrity of kindlin-2 subdomains is a prerequisite for supporting integrin recognition and for subsequent integrin activation.
authors.affiliation: Blood Research Institute, Blood Center of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Jiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Yan-Qing
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D054730:Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs; D025941:Protein Interaction Mapping; D016608:Talin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex; D016608:Talin; C485184:enhanced green fluorescent protein; C527802:kindlin-2 protein, mouse; C496077:Tln1 protein, mouse; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins