1
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Cannon KS, Vargas-Muniz JM, Billington N, Seim I, Ekena J, Sellers JR, Gladfelter AS. A gene duplication of a septin reveals a developmentally regulated filament length control mechanism. J Cell Biol 2023; 222:e202204063. [PMID: 36786832 PMCID: PMC9960279 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202204063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Septins are a family of conserved filament-forming proteins that function in multiple cellular processes. The number of septin genes within an organism varies, and higher eukaryotes express many septin isoforms due to alternative splicing. It is unclear if different combinations of septin proteins in complex alter the polymers' biophysical properties. We report that a duplication event within the CDC11 locus in Ashbya gossypii gave rise to two similar but distinct Cdc11 proteins: Cdc11a and Cdc1b. CDC11b transcription is developmentally regulated, producing different amounts of Cdc11a- and Cdc11b-complexes in the lifecycle of Ashbya gossypii. Deletion of either gene results in distinct cell polarity defects, suggesting non-overlapping functions. Cdc11a and Cdc11b complexes have differences in filament length and membrane-binding ability. Thus, septin subunit composition has functional consequences on filament properties and cell morphogenesis. Small sequence differences elicit distinct biophysical properties and cell functions of septins, illuminating how gene duplication could be a driving force for septin gene expansions seen throughout the tree of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin S. Cannon
- Biology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jose M. Vargas-Muniz
- Microbiology Program, School of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, USA
| | - Neil Billington
- Cell Biology and Physiology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ian Seim
- Biology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Curriculum in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Joanne Ekena
- Biology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - James R. Sellers
- Cell Biology and Physiology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Amy. S. Gladfelter
- Biology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, USA
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2
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Grupp B, Gronemeyer T. A biochemical view on the septins, a less known component of the cytoskeleton. Biol Chem 2023; 404:1-13. [PMID: 36423333 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2022-0263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The septins are a conserved family of guanine nucleotide binding proteins, often named the fourth component of the cytoskeleton. They self-assemble into non-polar filaments and further into higher ordered structures. Properly assembled septin structures are required for a wide range of indispensable intracellular processes such as cytokinesis, vesicular transport, polarity establishment and cellular adhesion. Septins belong structurally to the P-Loop NTPases. However, unlike the small GTPases like Ras, septins do not mediate signals to effectors through GTP binding and hydrolysis. The role of nucleotide binding and subsequent GTP hydrolysis by the septins is rather controversially debated. We compile here the structural features from the existing septin crystal- and cryo-EM structures regarding protofilament formation, inter-subunit interface architecture and nucleotide binding and hydrolysis. These findings are supplemented with a summary of available biochemical studies providing information regarding nucleotide binding and hydrolysis of fungal and mammalian septins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Grupp
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, Ulm University, James Franck Ring N27, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Thomas Gronemeyer
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, Ulm University, James Franck Ring N27, 89081 Ulm, Germany
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3
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Marquardt J, Chen X, Bi E. Septin Assembly and Remodeling at the Cell Division Site During the Cell Cycle. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:793920. [PMID: 34901034 PMCID: PMC8656427 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.793920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The septin family of proteins can assemble into filaments that further organize into different higher order structures to perform a variety of different functions in different cell types and organisms. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the septins localize to the presumptive bud site as a cortical ring prior to bud emergence, expand into an hourglass at the bud neck (cell division site) during bud growth, and finally “split” into a double ring sandwiching the cell division machinery during cytokinesis. While much work has been done to understand the functions and molecular makeups of these structures, the mechanisms underlying the transitions from one structure to another have largely remained elusive. Recent studies involving advanced imaging and in vitro reconstitution have begun to reveal the vast complexity involved in the regulation of these structural transitions, which defines the focus of discussion in this mini-review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Marquardt
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Erfei Bi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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4
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Woods BL, Cannon KS, Vogt EJD, Crutchley JM, Gladfelter AS. Interplay of septin amphipathic helices in sensing membrane-curvature and filament bundling. Mol Biol Cell 2021; 32:br5. [PMID: 34319771 PMCID: PMC8684760 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e20-05-0303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin L Woods
- Biology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Kevin S Cannon
- Biology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Ellysa J D Vogt
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - John M Crutchley
- Biology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Amy S Gladfelter
- Biology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.,Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.,Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543
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5
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Mendonça DC, Guimarães SL, Pereira HD, Pinto AA, de Farias MA, de Godoy AS, Araujo APU, van Heel M, Portugal RV, Garratt RC. An atomic model for the human septin hexamer by cryo-EM. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:167096. [PMID: 34116125 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
In order to form functional filaments, human septins must assemble into hetero-oligomeric rod-like particles which polymerize end-to-end. The rules governing the assembly of these particles and the subsequent filaments are incompletely understood. Although crystallographic approaches have been successful in studying the separate components of the system, there has been difficulty in obtaining high resolution structures of the full particle. Here we report a first cryo-EM structure for a hexameric rod composed of human septins 2, 6 and 7 with a global resolution of ~3.6 Å and a local resolution of between ~3.0 Å and ~5.0 Å. By fitting the previously determined high-resolution crystal structures of the component subunits into the cryo-EM map, we are able to provide an essentially complete model for the particle. This exposes SEPT2 NC-interfaces at the termini of the hexamer and leaves internal cavities between the SEPT6-SEPT7 pairs. The floor of the cavity is formed by the two α0 helices including their polybasic regions. These are locked into place between the two subunits by interactions made with the α5 and α6 helices of the neighbouring monomer together with its polyacidic region. The cavity may serve to provide space allowing the subunits to move with respect to one another. The elongated particle shows a tendency to bend at its centre where two copies of SEPT7 form a homodimeric G-interface. Such bending is almost certainly related to the ability of septin filaments to recognize and even induce membrane curvature.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ana P U Araujo
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, USP, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Marin van Heel
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory, CNPEM, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo V Portugal
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory, CNPEM, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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6
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Szuba A, Bano F, Castro-Linares G, Iv F, Mavrakis M, Richter RP, Bertin A, Koenderink GH. Membrane binding controls ordered self-assembly of animal septins. eLife 2021; 10:63349. [PMID: 33847563 PMCID: PMC8099429 DOI: 10.7554/elife.63349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Septins are conserved cytoskeletal proteins that regulate cell cortex mechanics. The mechanisms of their interactions with the plasma membrane remain poorly understood. Here, we show by cell-free reconstitution that binding to flat lipid membranes requires electrostatic interactions of septins with anionic lipids and promotes the ordered self-assembly of fly septins into filamentous meshworks. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that both fly and mammalian septin hexamers form arrays of single and paired filaments. Atomic force microscopy and quartz crystal microbalance demonstrate that the fly filaments form mechanically rigid, 12- to 18-nm thick, double layers of septins. By contrast, C-terminally truncated septin mutants form 4-nm thin monolayers, indicating that stacking requires the C-terminal coiled coils on DSep2 and Pnut subunits. Our work shows that membrane binding is required for fly septins to form ordered arrays of single and paired filaments and provides new insights into the mechanisms by which septins may regulate cell surface mechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Szuba
- AMOLF, Department of Living Matter, Biological Soft Matter group, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Fouzia Bano
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.,School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.,Bragg Centre for Materials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Gerard Castro-Linares
- AMOLF, Department of Living Matter, Biological Soft Matter group, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Francois Iv
- Institut Fresnel, CNRS, Aix-Marseille Univ, Centrale Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Manos Mavrakis
- Institut Fresnel, CNRS, Aix-Marseille Univ, Centrale Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Ralf P Richter
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.,School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.,Bragg Centre for Materials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Aurélie Bertin
- Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Gijsje H Koenderink
- AMOLF, Department of Living Matter, Biological Soft Matter group, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
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7
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Synergistic role of nucleotides and lipids for the self-assembly of Shs1 septin oligomers. Biochem J 2021; 477:2697-2714. [PMID: 32726433 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20200199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Budding yeast septins are essential for cell division and polarity. Septins assemble as palindromic linear octameric complexes. The function and ultra-structural organization of septins are finely governed by their molecular polymorphism. In particular, in budding yeast, the end subunit can stand either as Shs1 or Cdc11. We have dissected, here, for the first time, the behavior of the Shs1 protomer bound to membranes at nanometer resolution, in complex with the other septins. Using electron microscopy, we have shown that on membranes, Shs1 protomers self-assemble into rings, bundles, filaments or two-dimensional gauzes. Using a set of specific mutants we have demonstrated a synergistic role of both nucleotides and lipids for the organization and oligomerization of budding yeast septins. Besides, cryo-electron tomography assays show that vesicles are deformed by the interaction between Shs1 oligomers and lipids. The Shs1-Shs1 interface is stabilized by the presence of phosphoinositides, allowing the visualization of micrometric long filaments formed by Shs1 protomers. In addition, molecular modeling experiments have revealed a potential molecular mechanism regarding the selectivity of septin subunits for phosphoinositide lipids.
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8
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Takagi J, Cho C, Duvalyan A, Yan Y, Halloran M, Hanson-Smith V, Thorner J, Finnigan GC. Reconstructed evolutionary history of the yeast septins Cdc11 and Shs1. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2021; 11:6025175. [PMID: 33561226 PMCID: PMC7849910 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkaa006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Septins are GTP-binding proteins conserved across metazoans. They can polymerize into extended filaments and, hence, are considered a component of the cytoskeleton. The number of individual septins varies across the tree of life—yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) has seven distinct subunits, a nematode (Caenorhabditis elegans) has two, and humans have 13. However, the overall geometric unit (an apolar hetero-octameric protomer and filaments assembled there from) has been conserved. To understand septin evolutionary variation, we focused on a related pair of yeast subunits (Cdc11 and Shs1) that appear to have arisen from gene duplication within the fungal clade. Either Cdc11 or Shs1 occupies the terminal position within a hetero-octamer, yet Cdc11 is essential for septin function and cell viability, whereas Shs1 is not. To discern the molecular basis of this divergence, we utilized ancestral gene reconstruction to predict, synthesize, and experimentally examine the most recent common ancestor (“Anc.11-S”) of Cdc11 and Shs1. Anc.11-S was able to occupy the terminal position within an octamer, just like the modern subunits. Although Anc.11-S supplied many of the known functions of Cdc11, it was unable to replace the distinct function(s) of Shs1. To further evaluate the history of Shs1, additional intermediates along a proposed trajectory from Anc.11-S to yeast Shs1 were generated and tested. We demonstrate that multiple events contributed to the current properties of Shs1: (1) loss of Shs1–Shs1 self-association early after duplication, (2) co-evolution of heterotypic Cdc11–Shs1 interaction between neighboring hetero-octamers, and (3) eventual repurposing and acquisition of novel function(s) for its C-terminal extension domain. Thus, a pair of duplicated proteins, despite constraints imposed by assembly into a highly conserved multi-subunit structure, could evolve new functionality via a complex evolutionary pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Takagi
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-3202, USA
| | - Christina Cho
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-3202, USA
| | - Angela Duvalyan
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-3202, USA
| | - Yao Yan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Megan Halloran
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Victor Hanson-Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Jeremy Thorner
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-3202, USA
| | - Gregory C Finnigan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
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9
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Cannon KS, Woods BL, Crutchley JM, Gladfelter AS. An amphipathic helix enables septins to sense micrometer-scale membrane curvature. J Cell Biol 2019; 218:1128-1137. [PMID: 30659102 PMCID: PMC6446858 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201807211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 11/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The basis of curvature sensing by the septin cytoskeleton is unknown. Cannon et al. now identify a conserved amphipathic helix that is necessary for recruitment of septins to sites of micrometer-scale curvature in vitro and in vivo. Cell shape is well described by membrane curvature. Septins are filament-forming, GTP-binding proteins that assemble on positive, micrometer-scale curvatures. Here, we examine the molecular basis of curvature sensing by septins. We show that differences in affinity and the number of binding sites drive curvature-specific adsorption of septins. Moreover, we find septin assembly onto curved membranes is cooperative and show that geometry influences higher-order arrangement of septin filaments. Although septins must form polymers to stay associated with membranes, septin filaments do not have to span micrometers in length to sense curvature, as we find that single-septin complexes have curvature-dependent association rates. We trace this ability to an amphipathic helix (AH) located on the C-terminus of Cdc12. The AH domain is necessary and sufficient for curvature sensing both in vitro and in vivo. These data show that curvature sensing by septins operates at much smaller length scales than the micrometer curvatures being detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin S Cannon
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Benjamin L Woods
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC
| | - John M Crutchley
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Amy S Gladfelter
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC .,Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA
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10
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Perez AM, Thorner J. Septin-associated proteins Aim44 and Nis1 traffic between the bud neck and the nucleus in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2018; 76:15-32. [PMID: 30341817 PMCID: PMC6474838 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Revised: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In budding yeast, a collar of septin filaments at the neck between a mother cell and its bud marks the incipient site for cell division and serves as a scaffold that recruits proteins required for proper spatial and temporal execution of cytokinesis. A set of interacting proteins that localize at or near the bud neck, including Aim44/Gps1, Nba1 and Nis1, also has been implicated in preventing Cdc42‐dependent bud site re‐establishment at the division site. We found that, at their endogenous level, Aim44 and Nis1 robustly localize sequentially at the septin collar. Strikingly, however, when overproduced, both proteins shift their subcellular distribution predominantly to the nucleus. Aim44 localizes with the inner nuclear envelope, as well as at the plasma membrane, whereas Nis1 accumulates within the nucleus, indicating that these proteins normally undergo nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. Of the 14 yeast karyopherins, Kap123/Yrb4 is the primary importin for Aim44, whereas several importins mediate Nis1 nuclear entry. Conversely, Kap124/Xpo1/Crm1 is the primary exportin for Nis1, whereas both Xpo1 and Cse1/Kap109 likely contribute to Aim44 nuclear export. Even when endogenously expressed, Nis1 accumulates in the nucleus when Nba1 is absent. When either Aim44 or Nis1 are overexpressed, Nba1 is displaced from the bud neck, further consistent with the mutual interactions of these proteins. Collectively, our results indicate that a previously unappreciated level at which localization of septin‐associated proteins is controlled is via regulation of their nucleocytoplasmic shuttling, which places constraints on their availability for complex formation with other partners at the bud neck.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam M Perez
- Division of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California
| | - Jeremy Thorner
- Division of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California
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11
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Baur JD, Rösler R, Wiese S, Johnsson N, Gronemeyer T. Dissecting the nucleotide binding properties of the septins from S. cerevisiae. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2018; 76:45-54. [PMID: 30091242 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Septins are a conserved family of guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding proteins that assemble into an ordered array of filaments at the mother bud neck in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. They are present in all higher eukaryotes except plants. Septins belong structurally to the P-Loop nucleoside triphosphatase (NTPases) like Rab and Ras. However, unlike other small guanosine triphosphatase (GTPases) septins are supposed to act as scaffolds rather than signalling mediators. This is why they are considered as the fourth class of cytoskeletal proteins. It is assumed that septins fulfil their functions independently of the bound nucleotide. The role of guanosine diphosphosphate (GDP) and GTP binding and subsequent hydrolysis was controversial debated in the last couple of years. Lack of crystal structures of yeast septin subunits or rods and difficulties to isolate single monomeric septin subunits often hindered the correlation of results obtained from in vivo studies with biochemical data. Recently, nucleotide binding and hydrolysis was connected to the formation of septin rods from its subunits. However, the evidence was only indirectly obtained through the use of septin mutants in the context of intact cells. We provide here mechanistic insight into the nucleotide binding of the yeast septins by in vitro assays using purified septin rods and building blocks, thereby adding further insights to the already available models on septin filament formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian David Baur
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Reinhild Rösler
- Core Unit Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wiese
- Core Unit Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Nils Johnsson
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Thomas Gronemeyer
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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12
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Marquardt J, Chen X, Bi E. Architecture, remodeling, and functions of the septin cytoskeleton. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2018; 76:7-14. [PMID: 29979831 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The septin family of proteins has fascinated cell biologists for decades due to the elaborate architecture they adopt in different eukaryotic cells. Whether they exist as rings, collars, or gauzes in different cell types and at different times in the cell cycle illustrates a complex series of regulation in structure. While the organization of different septin structures at the cortex of different cell types during the cell cycle has been described to various degrees, the exact structure and regulation at the filament level are still largely unknown. Recent advances in fluorescent and electron microscopy, as well as work in septin biochemistry, have allowed new insights into the aspects of septin architecture, remodeling, and function in many cell types. This mini-review highlights many of the recent findings with an emphasis on the budding yeast model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Marquardt
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Erfei Bi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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