Logo image
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAAD)-causing Mutation in Actin Affects Formin Regulation of Polymerization
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAAD)-causing Mutation in Actin Affects Formin Regulation of Polymerization

Lindsey E Malloy, Kuo-Kuang Wen, Alyson R Pierick, Elesa W Wedemeyer, Sarah E Bergeron, Nicole D Vanderpool, Melissa McKane, Peter A Rubenstein and Heather L Bartlett
The Journal of biological chemistry, Vol.287(34), pp.28398-28408
08/17/2012
DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M112.371914
PMCID: PMC3436569
PMID: 22753406
url
https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M112.371914View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Background: The biochemical mechanisms underlying α-smooth muscle actin-mediated vascular disease are unknown. Results: The R256H mutation in actin alters polymerization kinetics and causes misregulation by the nucleation factor, formin. Conclusion: Mutation-based changes in conformation affect filament stability and regulation of polymerization. Significance: The Arg-256 residue stabilizes the actin helix and maintains filament conformation required for formin regulation. More than 30 mutations in ACTA2 , which encodes α-smooth muscle actin, have been identified to cause autosomal dominant thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection. The mutation R256H is of particular interest because it also causes patent ductus arteriosus and moyamoya disease. R256H is one of the more prevalent mutations and, based on its molecular location near the strand-strand interface in the actin filament, may affect F-actin stability. To understand the molecular ramifications of the R256H mutation, we generated Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells expressing only R256H yeast actin as a model system. These cells displayed abnormal cytoskeletal morphology and increased sensitivity to latrunculin A. After cable disassembly induced by transient exposure to latrunculin A, mutant cells were delayed in reestablishing the actin cytoskeleton. In vitro , mutant actin exhibited a higher than normal critical concentration and a delayed nucleation. Consequently, we investigated regulation of mutant actin by formin, a potent facilitator of nucleation and a protein needed for normal vascular smooth muscle cell development. Mutant actin polymerization was inhibited by the FH1-FH2 fragment of the yeast formin, Bni1. This fragment strongly capped the filament rather than facilitating polymerization. Interestingly, phalloidin or the presence of wild type actin reversed the strong capping behavior of Bni1. Together, the data suggest that the R256H actin mutation alters filament conformation resulting in filament instability and misregulation by formin. These biochemical effects may contribute to abnormal histology identified in diseased arterial samples from affected patients.
Protein Structure and Folding Yeast Actin Microfilaments Aneurysm TAAD Cytoskeleton Smooth Muscle Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection

Details

Metrics

Logo image