INF1 is a novel microtubule-associated formin

Mol Biol Cell. 2008 Dec;19(12):5168-80. doi: 10.1091/mbc.e08-05-0469. Epub 2008 Sep 24.

Abstract

Formin proteins, characterized by the presence of conserved formin homology (FH) domains, play important roles in cytoskeletal regulation via their abilities to nucleate actin filament formation and to interact with multiple other proteins involved in cytoskeletal regulation. The C-terminal FH2 domain of formins is key for actin filament interactions and has been implicated in playing a role in interactions with microtubules. Inverted formin 1 (INF1) is unusual among the formin family in having the conserved FH1 and FH2 domains in its N-terminal half, with its C-terminal half being composed of a unique polypeptide sequence. In this study, we have examined a potential role for INF1 in regulating microtubule structure. INF1 associates discretely with microtubules, and this association is dependent on a novel C-terminal microtubule-binding domain. INF1 expressed in fibroblast cells induced actin stress fiber formation, coalignment of microtubules with actin filaments, and the formation of bundled, acetylated microtubules. Endogenous INF1 showed an association with acetylated microtubules, and knockdown of INF1 resulted in decreased levels of acetylated microtubules. Our data suggests a role for INF1 in microtubule modification and potentially in coordinating microtubule and F-actin structure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Fetal Proteins / genetics
  • Fetal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Formins
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Microfilament Proteins / genetics
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / classification
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / genetics
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism*
  • Microtubules / metabolism*
  • Microtubules / ultrastructure
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nocodazole / metabolism
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Phylogeny
  • Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Thiazolidines / metabolism
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Actins
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • Fetal Proteins
  • Formins
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Thiazolidines
  • Protein Kinases
  • serum response factor kinase
  • Nocodazole
  • latrunculin A