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Vinculin activation by talin through helical bundle conversion

Academic Article
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Overview

authors

  • Izard, T.
  • Evans, G.
  • Borgon, R. A.
  • Rush, C. L.
  • Bricogne, G.
  • Bois, P. R. J.

publication date

  • January 2004

journal

  • Nature  Journal

abstract

  • Vinculin is a conserved component and an essential regulator of both cell-cell (cadherin-mediated) and cell-matrix (integrin-talin-mediated focal adhesions) junctions, and it anchors these adhesion complexes to the actin cytoskeleton by binding to talin in integrin complexes or to alpha-actinin in cadherin junctions. In its resting state, vinculin is held in a closed conformation through interactions between its head (Vh) and tail (Vt) domains. The binding of vinculin to focal adhesions requires its association with talin. Here we report the crystal structures of human vinculin in its inactive and talin-activated states. Talin binding induces marked conformational changes in Vh, creating a novel helical bundle structure, and this alteration actively displaces Vt from Vh. These results, as well as the ability of alpha-actinin to also bind to Vh and displace Vt from pre-existing Vh-Vt complexes, support a model whereby Vh functions as a domain that undergoes marked structural changes that allow vinculin to direct cytoskeletal assembly in focal adhesions and adherens junctions. Notably, talin's effects on Vh structure establish helical bundle conversion as a signalling mechanism by which proteins direct cellular responses.

subject areas

  • Adherens Junctions
  • Animals
  • Chickens
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Focal Adhesions
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Conformation
  • Static Electricity
  • Talin
  • Vinculin
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Identity

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0028-0836

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1038/nature02281

PubMed ID

  • 14702644
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Additional Document Info

start page

  • 171

end page

  • 175

volume

  • 427

issue

  • 6970

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