A unique talin homologue with a villin headpiece-like domain is required for multicellular morphogenesis in Dictyostelium

Curr Biol. 1999 Apr 8;9(7):389-92. doi: 10.1016/s0960-9822(99)80169-9.

Abstract

Molecules involved in the interaction between the extracellular matrix, cell membrane and cytoskeleton are of central importance in morphogenesis. Talin is a large cytoskeletal protein with a modular structure consisting of an amino-terminal membrane-interacting domain, with sequence similarities to members of the band 4.1 family, and a carboxy-terminal region containing F-actin-binding and vinculin-binding domains [1] [2]. It also interacts with the cytoplasmic tail of beta integrins which, on the external face of the membrane, bind to extracellular matrix proteins [3]. The possible roles of talin in multicellular morphogenesis in development remain largely unexplored. In Dictyostelium, a eukaryotic microorganism capable of multicellular morphogenesis, a talin homologue (TALA) has previously been identified and shown to play an important role in cell-to-substrate adhesion and maintenance of normal elastic properties of the cell [4] [5] [6]. Here, we describe a second talin homologue (TALB) that is required for multicellular morphogenesis in the development of Dictyostelium. Unlike any other talin characterised to date, it contains an additional carboxy-terminal domain homologous to the villin headpiece.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA, Complementary / chemistry
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Dictyostelium / chemistry
  • Dictyostelium / genetics*
  • Dictyostelium / growth & development
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Microfilament Proteins / genetics*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Talin / genetics*

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Talin
  • villin

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AB023655