Villin‐type headpiece domains show a wide range of F‐actin‐binding affinities

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Abstract
The villin‐type “headpiece” domain is a modular motif found at the extreme C‐terminus of larger “core” domains in over 25 cytoskeletal proteins in plants and animals. Although headpiece is classified as an F‐actin‐binding domain, it has been suggested that some expressed fusion‐proteins containing headpiece may lack F‐actin‐binding in vivo. To determine the intrinsic F‐actin affinity of headpiece domains, we quantified the F‐actin affinity of seven headpiece domains and three N‐terminal truncations, under identical in vitro conditions. The constructs are folded and adopt the native headpiece structure. However, they show a wide range of affinities that can be grouped into high, low, and nonspecific‐binding categories. Computer models of the structure and charged surface potential of these headpiece domains suggest features important for high F‐actin affinity. We conclude that not all headpiece domains are intrinsically F‐actin‐binding motifs, and suggest that the surface charge distribution may be an important element for F‐actin recognition. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 52:9–21, 2002.

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