Exo70 generates membrane curvature for morphogenesis and cell migration.
Dynamic shape changes of the plasma membrane are fundamental to many processes, ranging from morphogenesis and cell migration to phagocytosis and viral propagation. Here, we demonstrate that Exo70, a component of the exocyst complex, induces tubular membrane invaginations toward the lumen of synthetic vesicles in vitro and generates protrusions on the surface of cells. Biochemical analyses using Exo70 mutants and independent molecular dynamics simulations based on Exo70 structure demonstrate that Exo70 generates negative membrane curvature through an oligomerization-based mechanism. In cells, the membrane-deformation function of Exo70 is required for protrusion formation and directional cell migration. Exo70 thus represents a membrane-bending protein that may couple actin dynamics and plasma membrane remodeling for morphogenesis.
Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Yuting
Y
Zhao
Jianglan
J
Liu
Changsong
C
Yang
Benjamin R
BR
Capraro
Tobias
T
Baumgart
Ryan P
RP
Bradley
N
N
Ramakrishnan
Xiaowei
X
Xu
Ravi
R
Radhakrishnan
Tatyana
T
Svitkina
Wei
W
Guo
D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000199:Actins / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D019281:Dimerization; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008954:Models, Biological; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D011554:Pseudopodia / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D059008:Time-Lapse Imaging; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*
D000199:Actins; C547754:EXOC7 protein, human; C522783:Exo70 protein, mouse; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins