Three-dimensional structure of CAP-gly domain of mammalian dynactin determined by magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy: conformational plasticity and interactions with end-binding protein EB1

J Mol Biol. 2013 Nov 15;425(22):4249-66. doi: 10.1016/j.jmb.2013.04.027. Epub 2013 May 4.

Abstract

Microtubules and their associated proteins play important roles in vesicle and organelle transport, cell motility and cell division. Perturbation of these processes by mutation typically gives rise to severe pathological conditions. In our efforts to obtain atomic information on microtubule-associated protein/microtubule interactions with the goal to understand mechanisms that might potentially assist in the development of treatments for these diseases, we have determined the three-dimensional structure of CAP-Gly (cytoskeleton-associated protein, glycine-rich) domain of mammalian dynactin by magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy. We observe two conformations in the β2 strand encompassing residues T43-V44-A45, residues that are adjacent to the disease-associated mutation, G59S. Upon binding of CAP-Gly to microtubule plus-end tracking protein EB1, the CAP-Gly shifts to a single conformer. We find extensive chemical shift perturbations in several stretches of residues of CAP-Gly upon binding to EB1, from which we define accurately the CAP-Gly/EB1 binding interface. We also observe that the loop regions may exhibit unique flexibility, especially in the GKNDG motif, which participates in the microtubule binding. This study in conjunction with our previous reports suggests that conformational plasticity is an intrinsic property of CAP-Gly likely due to its unusually high loop content and may be required for its biological functions.

Keywords: 2D; 3D; CAP-Gly; MAS; NIH; National Institutes of Health; PDB; PEG; Protein Data Bank; SSNMR; VDW; dSBMA; distal spinal bulbar muscular atrophy; dynactin; end-binding protein EB1; magic angle spinning; p150(Glued) domain; polyethylene glycol; solid-state NMR; three-dimensional; two-dimensional; van der Waals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Dynactin Complex
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy* / methods
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / chemistry*
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Multiprotein Complexes / chemistry
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / genetics
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs*
  • Protein Structure, Secondary

Substances

  • Dynactin Complex
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Multiprotein Complexes

Associated data

  • PDB/2M02