Work

Structural Polymorphism of the Actin-Espin System: A Prototypical System of Filaments and Linkers in Stereocilia

Year: 2007

Type: article

Abstract: We examine the interaction between cytoskeletal F-actin and espin 3A, a prototypical actin bundling protein found in sensory cell microvilli, including ear cell stereocilia. Espin induces twist distortions in F-actin as well as facilitates bundle formation. Mutations in one of the two F-actin binding sites of espin, which have been implicated in deafness, can tune espin-actin interactions and radically transform the system's phase behavior. These results are compared to recent theoretical work on the general phase behavior linker-rod systems.

Source: Physical Review Letters

DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.98.058105

Authors: Kirstin R. Purdy, James R. Bartles, Gerard C. L. Wong

Institutions: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University

Language: English

Topic: Cellular Mechanics and Interactions

Subfield: Cell Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Awards: G7377508811, The Roles of Espins in Hair Cell Stereocilia