Interplay of septin amphipathic helices in sensing membrane-curvature and filament bundling

Mol Biol Cell. 2021 Oct 1;32(20):br5. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E20-05-0303. Epub 2021 Jul 28.

Abstract

The curvature of the membrane defines cell shape. Septins are GTP-binding proteins that assemble into heteromeric complexes and polymerize into filaments at areas of micron-scale membrane curvature. An amphipathic helix (AH) domain within the septin complex is necessary and sufficient for septins to preferentially assemble onto micron-scale curvature. Here we report that the nonessential fungal septin, Shs1, also has an AH domain capable of recognizing membrane curvature. In a septin mutant strain lacking a fully functional Cdc12 AH domain (cdc12-6), the C-terminal extension of Shs1, containing an AH domain, becomes essential. Additionally, we find that the Cdc12 AH domain is important for regulating septin filament bundling, suggesting septin AH domains have multiple, distinct functions and that bundling and membrane binding may be coordinately controlled.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / physiology
  • Cell Shape / physiology
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Domains / physiology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / cytology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / physiology
  • Septins / metabolism*
  • Septins / physiology

Substances

  • CDC12 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • SHS1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Septins