Structural basis for interaction between the conserved cell polarity proteins Inscuteable and Leu-Gly-Asn repeat-enriched protein (LGN)

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Nov 29;108(48):19210-5. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1110951108. Epub 2011 Nov 10.

Abstract

Interaction between the mammalian cell polarity proteins mInsc (mammalian homologue of Inscuteable) and Leu-Gly-Asn repeat-enriched protein (LGN), as well as that between their respective Drosophila homologues Inscuteable and Partner of Inscuteable (Pins), plays crucial roles in mitotic spindle orientation, a process contributing to asymmetric cell division. Here, we report a crystal structure of the LGN-binding domain (LBD) of human mInsc complexed with the N-terminal tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) motifs of human LGN at 2.6-Å resolution. In the complex, mInsc-LBD adopts an elongated structure with three binding modules--an α-helix, an extended region, and a β-sheet connected with a loop--that runs antiparallel to LGN along the concave surface of the superhelix formed by the TPRs. Structural analysis and structure-based mutagenesis define residues that are critical for mInsc-LGN association, and reveal that the activator of G-protein signaling 3 (AGS3)-binding protein Frmpd1 [4.1/ezrin/radixin/moesin (FERM) and PSD-95/Dlg/ZO-1 (PDZ) domain-containing protein 1] and its relative Frmpd4 interact with LGN via a region homologous to a part of mInsc-LBD, whereas nuclear mitotic apparatus protein (NuMA) and the C terminus of LGN recognize the TPR domain in a manner different from that by mInsc. mInsc binds to LGN with the highest affinity (K(D) ≈ 2.4 nM) and effectively replaces the Frmpd proteins, NuMA, and the LGN C terminus, suggesting the priority of mInsc in binding to LGN. We also demonstrate, using mutant proteins, that mInsc-LGN interaction is vital for stabilization of LGN and for intracellular localization of mInsc.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / chemistry*
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Polarity / physiology*
  • Chromatography, Gel
  • Crystallization
  • Fluorescence
  • Humans
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Mutagenesis
  • Protein Conformation*
  • Spindle Apparatus / physiology*
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance
  • Ultracentrifugation

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Frmpd1 protein, human
  • GPSM2 protein, human
  • Insc protein, human
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins

Associated data

  • PDB/3SF4