Hydrophobic Loop Dynamics and Actin Filament Stability†

Biochemistry ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 45 (45) ◽  
pp. 13576-13584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damon Scoville ◽  
John D. Stamm ◽  
Dora Toledo-Warshaviak ◽  
Christian Altenbach ◽  
Martin Phillips ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filament ◽  
Loop Dynamics

Toward an alignment of the actin molecule within the actin filament

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 450-451
Author(s):  
P.R. Smith ◽  
W.E. Fowler ◽  
U. Aebi
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filament ◽  
Diffraction Data ◽  
Quantitative Estimate ◽  
Molecular Model ◽  
Quantitative Comparison ◽  
Regulatory Proteins ◽  
Essential Information ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Maximum Resolution ◽  
Lack Of Information

An understanding of the specific interactions of actin with regulatory proteins has been limited by the lack of information about the structure of the actin filament. Molecular actin has been studied in actin-DNase I complexes by single crystal X-ray analysis, to a resolution of about 0.6nm, and in the electron microscope where two dimensional actin sheets have been reconstructed to a maximum resolution of 1.5nm. While these studies have shown something of the structure of individual actin molecules, essential information about the orientation of actin in the filament is still unavailable.The work of Egelman & DeRosier has, however, suggested a method which could be used to provide an initial quantitative estimate of the orientation of actin within the filament. This method involves the quantitative comparison of computed diffraction data from single actin filaments with diffraction data derived from synthetic filaments constructed using the molecular model of actin as a building block. Their preliminary work was conducted using a model consisting of two juxtaposed spheres of equal size.

The 3-Dimensional Molecular Structure of the Actin Filament Revisited

1985 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 480-481
Author(s):  
U. Aebi ◽  
R. Millonig ◽  
H. Salvo
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filament ◽  
Supramolecular Assembly ◽  
Specimen Preparation ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Single Filament ◽  
X Ray ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Filament Diameter ◽  
Preparation Conditions ◽  
Apparent Diameter

To date, most 3-D reconstructions of undecorated actin filaments have been obtained from actin filament paracrystal data (for refs, see 1,2). However, due to the fact that (a) the paracrystals may be several filament layers thick, and (b) adjacent filaments may sustantially interdigitate, these reconstructions may be subject to significant artifacts. None of these reconstructions has permitted unambiguous tracing or orientation of the actin subunits within the filament. Furthermore, measured values for the maximal filament diameter both determined by EM and by X-ray diffraction analysis, vary between 6 and 10 nm. Obviously, the apparent diameter of the actin filament revealed in the EM will critically depend on specimen preparation, since it is a rather flexible supramolecular assembly which can easily be bent or distorted. To resolve some of these ambiguities, we have explored specimen preparation conditions which may preserve single filaments sufficiently straight and helically ordered to be suitable for single filament 3-D reconstructions, possibly revealing molecular detail.

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