Structural polymorphism of the actin-espin system: a prototypical system of filaments and linkers in stereocilia.

ABSTRACT: We examine the interaction between cytoskeletal F-actin and espin 3A, a prototypical actin bundling protein found in sensory cell microvilli, including ear cell stereocilia. Espin induces twist distortions in F-actin as well as facilitates bundle formation. Mutations in one of the two F-actin binding sites of espin, which have been implicated in deafness, can tune espin-actin interactions and radically transform the system's phase behavior. These results are compared to recent theoretical work on the general phase behavior linker-rod systems.

SUBMITTER: Purdy KR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2843914 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature