2024
Distinct functional constraints driving conservation of the cofilin N-terminal regulatory tail
Sexton J, Potchernikov T, Bibeau J, Casanova-Sepúlveda G, Cao W, Lou H, Boggon T, De La Cruz E, Turk B. Distinct functional constraints driving conservation of the cofilin N-terminal regulatory tail. Nature Communications 2024, 15: 1426. PMID: 38365893, PMCID: PMC10873347, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45878-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsN-terminal regionActin bindingSequence requirementsLIM kinaseAnalysis of individual variantsInactivates cofilinS. cerevisiaeRegulatory tailFamily proteinsActin depolymerizationPhosphorylation sitesKinase recognitionSequence variantsInhibitory phosphorylationCofilinN-terminusIndividual variantsFunctional constraintsActinDisordered sequencesPhosphorylationSequenceBiochemical analysisSequence constraintsKinase
2017
Phosphomimetic S3D cofilin binds but only weakly severs actin filaments
Elam WA, Cao W, Kang H, Huehn A, Hocky GM, Prochniewicz E, Schramm AC, Negrón K, Garcia J, Bonello TT, Gunning PW, Thomas DD, Voth GA, Sindelar CV, De La Cruz EM. Phosphomimetic S3D cofilin binds but only weakly severs actin filaments. Journal Of Biological Chemistry 2017, 292: 19565-19579. PMID: 28939776, PMCID: PMC5712599, DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.808378.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsActin bindingWild-type cofilinActin filament severingHigh cooperativitySubstitution of serineCofilin bindsActin cytoskeletonProtein cofilinCell divisionSer-3Filament severingAtom molecular dynamics simulationsSubunit interactionsN-terminusCofilinBiological processesActin filamentsTime-resolved phosphorescence anisotropyElectron cryomicroscopyRapid remodelingPhosphorylationSeveringFilament mechanical propertiesActin segmentsFilaments
2011
Actin Filament Dynamics in the Actomyosin VI Complex Is Regulated Allosterically by Calcium–Calmodulin Light Chain
Prochniewicz E, Pierre A, McCullough BR, Chin HF, Cao W, Saunders LP, Thomas DD, De La Cruz EM. Actin Filament Dynamics in the Actomyosin VI Complex Is Regulated Allosterically by Calcium–Calmodulin Light Chain. Journal Of Molecular Biology 2011, 413: 584-592. PMID: 21910998, PMCID: PMC3633491, DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2011.08.058.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsActin filament dynamicsMyosin VIFilament dynamicsMicrosecond dynamicsCaM-dependent mannerCalmodulin light chainsLight chainActin bindingActin filamentsDependent CaMIQ domainCaM-dependent regulationFluorescence microscopyEnzymatic activityTransient phosphorescence anisotropyATP utilizationFinal anisotropyMicrosecond rotational dynamicsPhosphorescence anisotropyMyosinStructural dynamicsAnisotropy decaySuch modulationActinRegulation
2008
Widely Distributed Residues in Thymosin β4 Are Critical for Actin Binding
Au JK, Olivares AO, Henn A, Cao W, Safer D, De La Cruz EM. Widely Distributed Residues in Thymosin β4 Are Critical for Actin Binding. Biochemistry 2008, 47: 4181-4188. PMID: 18327913, PMCID: PMC2587058, DOI: 10.1021/bi701769u.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsActin Binding AffinityActin bindingProline residuesHydrophobic residuesAlanine residuesLysine residuesPro27Thymosin beta4Actin monomersPro29MutagenesisHydrophobic contactsLeu28Slow association rateResiduesLys19Thymosin β4Ile34Tbeta4Lys18Binding affinitiesTwo-step mechanismAssociation ratePro4Cis-trans isomerization