Structural highlights
Function[FSCN1_HUMAN] Organizes filamentous actin into bundles with a minimum of 4.1:1 actin/fascin ratio. Plays a role in the organization of actin filament bundles and the formation of microspikes, membrane ruffles, and stress fibers. Important for the formation of a diverse set of cell protrusions, such as filopodia, and for cell motility and migration.[1] [2] [3] [4] Publication Abstract from PubMedFilopodia are cell surface protrusions that are essential for cell migration. This finger-like structure is supported by rigid tightly-bundled actin filaments. The protein responsible for actin-bundling in filopodia is fascin. However the mechanism by which fascin functions in filopodial formation is not clear. Here we provide biochemical, cryo-electron tomographic and X-ray crystal structural data demonstrating the unique structural characteristics of fascin. Systematic mutagenesis studies on 100 mutants of fascin indicate that there are two major actin-binding sites on fascin. Crystal structures of four fascin mutants reveal concerted conformational changes in fascin from inactive to active states in the process of actin bundling. Mutations in any one of the actin-binding sites impair the cellular function of fascin in filopodial formation. Altogether, our data reveal the molecular mechanism of fascin function in filopodial formation. Molecular Mechanism of Fascin Function in Filopodial Formation.,Yang S, Huang FK, Huang J, Chen S, Jakoncic J, Leo-Macias A, Diaz-Avalos R, Chen L, Zhang JJ, Huang XY J Biol Chem. 2012 Nov 26. PMID:23184945[5] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. References
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