Phase Separation and Fibrillization of Human Annexin A7 Are Mediated by Its Proline-Rich Domain

Biochemistry. 2023 Nov 7;62(21):3036-3040. doi: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00349. Epub 2023 Oct 3.

Abstract

Human annexin A7, a calcium- and phospholipid-binding protein, governs calcium homeostasis, plasma membrane repair, apoptosis, and tumor progression. A7 contains an N-terminal proline-rich domain (PRD; 180 residues, ∼24% prolines) that determines its functional specificity. Using microscopy and dye-binding assays, we show that recombinant A7 and its isolated PRD spontaneously phase separate into spherical condensates, which subsequently transform into β-sheet-rich fibrils. We demonstrate that fibrillization of A7-PRD proceeds via primary nucleation and fibril-catalyzed secondary nucleation processes, as determined by chemical kinetics, providing a mechanistic basis for its amyloid assembly. This study confirms and highlights a subclass of eukaryotic PRDs prone to forming aggregates with important physiological and pathological implications.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid / chemistry
  • Annexin A7* / chemistry
  • Annexin A7* / metabolism
  • Calcium* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Proline / chemistry
  • Protein Domains

Substances

  • Annexin A7
  • Calcium
  • Amyloid
  • Proline