2018
The actin filament twist changes abruptly at boundaries between bare and cofilin-decorated segments
Huehn A, Cao W, Elam WA, Liu X, De La Cruz EM, Sindelar CV. The actin filament twist changes abruptly at boundaries between bare and cofilin-decorated segments. Journal Of Biological Chemistry 2018, 293: 5377-5383. PMID: 29463680, PMCID: PMC5900768, DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ac118.001843.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCofilin-decorated segmentsConformational changesCofilin/ADF proteinsActin-remodeling proteinsBind actin filamentsActin filament interactionsCofilin-induced changesEffects of cofilinCooperative conformational changesProtein occupancyADF proteinsCellular processesCell divisionStructure-based methodsCryo-EMActin segmentsIntracellular transportActin filamentsFilament twistCooperative bindingCofilinTwist changesActinFluorophore labelingSubunits
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
2012
Identification of cation-binding sites on actin that drive polymerization and modulate bending stiffness
Kang H, Bradley MJ, McCullough BR, Pierre A, Grintsevich EE, Reisler E, De La Cruz EM. Identification of cation-binding sites on actin that drive polymerization and modulate bending stiffness. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2012, 109: 16923-16927. PMID: 23027950, PMCID: PMC3479481, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1211078109.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCation-binding sitesActin assemblyEukaryotic biologyLong-pitch helixActin functionSalt-dependent effectsCell divisionCell motilityActin polymerizationFilament assemblyAdjacent subunitsIntracellular transportActin filamentsPhysiological salt concentrationsActin monomersCellular shapeNonspecific ionic strength effectsDiscrete sites
2009
Watching the walk: Observing chemo‐mechanical coupling in a processive myosin motor
De La Cruz EM, Olivares AO. Watching the walk: Observing chemo‐mechanical coupling in a processive myosin motor. All Life 2009, 3: 67-70. PMID: 19794813, PMCID: PMC2707789, DOI: 10.2976/1.3095425.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMolecular motorsMolecular motor proteinsNucleotide bindingCell divisionCellular nanomachinesGene transcriptionGenome replicationOrganelle transportMotor proteinsSingle-molecule enzymologyActin filamentsProcessive myosin motorsProtein synthesisMyosin motorsFundamental processesProduct releaseExciting advancesRecent studiesCytoskeletonTranscriptionEnzymologyOrganismsProteinFundamental importanceChemical catalysis