Strelkov, S. V. and Herrmann, H. and Geisler, N. and Wedig, T. and Zimbelmann, R. and Aebi, U. and Burkhard, P.. (2002) Conserved segments 1A and 2B of the intermediate filament dimer: their atomic structures and role in filament assembly. The EMBO journal, Vol. 21, H. 6. pp. 1255-1266.
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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/dok/A5258516
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Abstract
Intermediate filaments (IFs) are key components of the cytoskeleton in higher eukaryotic cells. The elementary IF 'building block' is an elongated coiled-coil dimer consisting of four consecutive alpha-helical segments. The segments 1A and 2B include highly conserved sequences and are critically involved in IF assembly. Based on the crystal structures of three human vimentin fragments at 1.4-2.3 A resolution (PDB entries 1gk4, 1gk6 and 1gk7), we have established the molecular organization of these two segments. The fragment corresponding to segment 1A forms a single, amphipatic alpha-helix, which is compatible with a coiled-coil geometry. While this segment might yield a coiled coil within an isolated dimer, monomeric 1A helices are likely to play a role in specific dimer-dimer interactions during IF assembly. The 2B segment reveals a double-stranded coiled coil, which unwinds near residue Phe351 to accommodate a 'stutter'. A fragment containing the last seven heptads of 2B interferes heavily with IF assembly and also transforms mature vimentin filaments into a new kind of structure. These results provide the first insight into the architecture and functioning of IFs at the atomic level.
Faculties and Departments: | 05 Faculty of Science > Departement Biozentrum > Former Organization Units Biozentrum > Structural Biology, associated group (Burkhard) |
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UniBasel Contributors: | Burkhard, Peter |
Item Type: | Article, refereed |
Article Subtype: | Research Article |
Publisher: | Nature Publishing Group |
ISSN: | 0261-4189 |
Note: | Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article |
Last Modified: | 22 Mar 2012 14:20 |
Deposited On: | 22 Mar 2012 13:20 |
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