ITK (also known as Tsk or Emt) is a member of the Tec family, which is a group of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases containing Src homology protein interaction domains (SH3, SH2) N-terminal to the catalytic tyr kinase domain. It also contains an N-terminal pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, which binds the products of PI3K and allows membrane recruitment and activation [], and the Tec homology (TH) domain, which contains proline-rich and zinc-binding regions. ITK is expressed in T-cells and mast cells, and is important in their development and differentiation [, ]. Of the three Tec kinases expressed in T-cells, ITK plays the predominant role in T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling. It is activated by phosphorylation upon TCR crosslinking and is involved in the pathway resulting in phospholipase C-gamma1 activation and actin polymerization []. It also plays a role in the downstream signaling of the T-cell costimulatory receptor CD28 [], the T-cell surface receptor CD2 [], and the chemokine receptor CXCR4 []. In addition, ITK is crucial for the development of T-helper(Th)2 effector responses []. This entry represents the SH3 domain of ITK.
FAK1 (focal adhesion kinase 1) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that localizes to focal adhesions in adherent cells. It has been implicated in diverse cellular roles including cell locomotion, mitogen response and cell survival []. The N-terminal region of FAK1 contains a FERM domain, a linker, a kinase domain, and a C-terminal FRNK (FAK-related-non-kinase) domain. Three subdomains of FERM: (1) FERM_N (A-lobe or F1); (2) FERM_M (B-lobe, or F2); and (3) FERM_C (C-lobe or F3), form a cloverleaf fold, similar to those of known FERM structures despite the low sequence conservation. The phosphoinositide-binding site found in ERM family proteins is not present in the FERM domain of FAK1 []. The adjacent Src SH3 and SH2 binding sites in the linker of FAK1 associates with the F3 and F1 lobes and are thought to be involved in regulation. The FERM domain of FAK1 can inhibit enzymatic activity and repress FAK signaling. In an inactive state of FAK1, the FERM domain is thought to interact with the catalytic domain of FAK1 to repress its activity. Upon activation this interaction is disrupted and its kinase activity restored. The FRNK domain is thought to function as a negative regulator of kinase activity. This entry represents the C-lobe/F3 domain, which is the third structural domain within the FERM domain. This domain is structurally similar to the PH and PTB domains and consequently is capable of binding to both peptides and phospholipids at different sites [, ]. Proteins containing this domain also include protein-tyrosine kinase 2-beta (also known as PYK2), which is a cytoplasmic, non-receptor tyrosine kinase implicated in multiple signaling pathways []. PYK2 is a close paralogue to FAK in vertebrates that can often functionally compensate for loss of FAK [].
Tom1 (target of Myb 1) and its related proteins (Tom1L1 and Tom1L2) constitute a protein family and share an N-terminal VHS (Vps27p/Hrs/Stam) domain followed by a GAT (GGA and Tom1) domain.VHS domains are found at the N termini of select proteins involved in intracellular membrane trafficking and are often localized to membranes. The three dimensional structure of human TOM1 VHS domain reveals eight helices arranged in a superhelix. The surface of the domain has two main features: (1) a basic patch on one side due to several conserved positively charged residues on helix 3 and (2) a negatively charged ridge on the opposite side, formed by residues on helix 2 []. The basic patch is thought to mediate membrane binding.It was demonstrated that the GAT domain of both Tom1 and Tom1L1 binds ubiquitin, suggesting that these proteins might participate in the sorting of ubiquitinated proteins into multivesicular bodies (MVB) []. Moreover, Tom1L1 interacts with members of the MVB sorting machinery. Specifically, the VHS domain of Tom1L1 interacts with Hrs (hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate), whereas a PTAP motif, located between the VHS and GAT domains of Tom1L1, is responsible for binding to TSG101 (tumour susceptibility gene 101). Myc epitope-tagged Tom1L1 is recruited to endosomes following Hrs expression. In addition, Tom1L1 possesses several tyrosine motifs at the C-terminal region that mediate interactions with members of the Src family kinases and other signalling proteins such as Grb2 and p85. Expression of a constitutively active form of Fyn kinase promotes the recruitment of Tom1L1 to enlarged endosomes. It is proposed that Tom1L1 could act as an intermediary between the signalling and degradative pathways [].Over expression of Tom1 suppresses activation of the transcription factors NF-kappaB and AP-1, induced by either IL-1beta or tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and the VHS domain of Tom1 is indispensable for this suppressive activity. This suggests that Tom1 is a common negative regulator of signalling pathways induced by IL-1beta and TNF-alpha [].
Amphiphysins belong to the expanding BAR (Bin-Amphiphysin-Rvsp) family proteins, all members of which share a highly conserved N-terminal BAR domain, which has predicted coiled-coil structures required for amphiphysin dimerisation and plasma membrane interaction []. Almost all members also share a conserved C-terminal Src homology 3 (SH3) domain, which mediates their interactions with the GTPase dynamin and the inositol-5'-phosphatase synaptojanin 1 in vertebrates and with actin in yeast. The central region of all these proteins is most variable. In mammals, the central region of amphiphysin I and amphiphysin IIa contains a proline-arginine-rich region for endophilin binding and a CLAP domain, for binding to clathrin and AP-2. The interactions mediated by both the central and C-terminal domains are believed to be modulated by protein phosphorylation [, ].Amphiphysins are proteins involved in clathrin-mediated endocytosis clathrin-mediated endocytosis, actin function, and signalling pathways [, ].Amphiphysin 1 was first identified in 1992 as a brain protein that was partially-associated with synaptic vesicles. Following its cloning, it was also realised to be a human auto-antigen that is detected in a rare neurological disease, Stiff-Man Syndrome, and also in certain types of cancer []. Amphiphysin 1 senses and facilitates membrane curvature to mediate synaptic vesicles invagination and fission during newly retrieved presynaptic vesicle formation and also acts as a linker protein binding with dynamin, clathrin, Amphiphysin II, and other dephosphins in the clathrin-coated complex. Amphiphysin 1 is cleaved an asparagine endopeptidase (AEP), which generates afragment that increases with aging. This fragment disrupts the normal endocytic function of Amphiphysin 1, leading to synaptic dysfunction, as it activates CDK5 inducing tau hyperphosphorylation. Therefore, Amphiphysin 1 posttranslational modification contributes to pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, being the AEP a therapeutic target [].
Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) [, ]are a family of multifunctional proteins, often referred to as 'promiscuous growth factors' due to their diverse actions on multiple cell types [, ]. FGFs are mitogens, which stimulate growth or differentiation of cells of mesodermal or neuroectodermal origin. The function of FGFs in developmental processes include mesoderm induction, anterior-posterior patterning, limb development, and neural induction and development. In mature tissues, they are involved in diverse processes including keratinocyte organisation and wound healing [, , , , , ]. FGF involvement is critical during normal development of both vertebrates and invertebrates, and irregularities in their function leads to a range of developmental defects [, , , ]. Fibroblast growth factors are heparin-binding proteins and interactions with cell-surface-associated heparan sulfate proteoglycans have been shown to be essential for FGF signal transduction. FGFs have internal pseudo-threefold symmetry (β-trefoil topology) []. There are currently over 20 different FGF family members that have been identified in mammals, all of which are structurally related signaling molecules [, ]. They exert their effects through four distinct membrane fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs), FGFR1 to FGFR4 [], which belong to the tyrosine kinase superfamily. Upon binding to FGF, the receptors dimerize and their intracellular tyrosine kinase domains become active [].The FGFRs consist of an extracellular ligand-binding domain composed of three immunoglobulin-like domains (D1-D3), a single transmembrane helix domain, and an intracellular domain with tyrosine kinase activity []. The three immunoglobin(Ig)-like domains, D1, D2, and D3, present a stretch of acidic amino acids (known as the acid box) between D1 and D2. This acid box can participate in the regulation of FGF binding to the FGFR. Immunoglobulin-like domains D2 and D3 are sufficient for FGF binding. FGFR family members differ from one another in their ligandaffinities and tissue distribution [, ]. Most FGFs can bind to several different FGFR subtypes. Indeed, FGF1 is sometimes referred to as the universal ligand, as it is capable of activating all of the different FGFRs []. However, there are some exceptions. For example, FGF7 only interacts with FGFR2 []and FGF18 was recently shown to only activate FGFR3 []. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) binds both acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors and is involved in limb induction []. FGFR1 has been shown to be associated with Pfeiffer syndrome [], and cleft lip and/or palate [, ]. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 has been shown to interact with growth factor receptor-bound protein 14 (GRB14) [], Src homology 2 domain containing adaptor protein B (SHB) [], fibroblast growth factor receptor substrate 2 (FRS2)[]and fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) [, ].This entry represents the catalytic domain of FGFR1.
Insulin receptor substrate (IRS) molecules are mediators in insulin signaling and play a role in maintaining basic cellular functions such as growth and metabolism. They act as docking proteins between the insulin receptor and a complex network of intracellular signaling molecules containing Src homology 2 (SH2) domains. Four members (IRS-1, IRS-2, IRS-3, IRS-4) of this family have been identified that differ as to tissue distribution, subcellular localization, developmental expression, binding to the insulin receptor, and interaction with SH2 domain-containing proteins. IRS molecules have an N-terminal pleckstrin homology domain (), followed by an IRS-like phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain which has a PH-like fold. These domains facilitate interaction with the activated tyrosine-phosphorylated insulin receptor. The PTB domain is situated towards the N terminus. Two arginines in this domain are responsible for hydrogen bonding phosphotyrosine residues on a Ac-LYASSNPApY-NH2 peptide in the juxtamembrane region of the insulin receptor. Further interactions via `bridged' water molecules are coordinated by residues an Asn and a Ser residue [].PTB domains function as adaptors or scaffolds to organise the signalling complexes involved in wide-ranging physiological processes including neural development, immunity, tissue homeostasis and cell growth. Due to structural differences,PTB domains are divided into three groups represented by phosphotyrosine-dependent IRS-like, phosphotyrosine-dependent Shc-like, and phosphotyrosine-independent Dab-like PTBs.IRS-type PTB domain has an average length of about 100 amino acids. It bindsto the insulin receptor through the Asn-Pro-Xaa-Tyr(P) motif found in manytyrosine-phosphorylated proteins. This domain is found in IRS/Dok/SNT proteinsthat are the major adapters for RTK and cytokine signaling. This domain bindsboth peptides and headgroups of phosphatidylinositides, utilizing two distinctbinding motifs to mediate spatial organisation and localization within cells.The IRS-type PTB domain is found alone or in association with the PH domain [, ]. More recent studies have found that some types of PTB domains can bind to peptides lack tyrosine residues altogether. In contrast to SH2 domains, which recognize phosphotyrosine and adjacent carboxy-terminal residues, PTB-domain binding specificity is conferred by residues amino-terminal to the phosphotyrosine. PTB domains are classified into three groups: phosphotyrosine-dependent Shc-like, phosphotyrosine-dependent IRS-like, and phosphotyrosine-independent Dab-like PTB domains. This entry is part of the IRS-like subgroup [, ].The 3D structure of IRS-type PTB domain has been solved []. It shares a folding pattern commonly referred to as the PH-domain "superfold". The core "superfold"consists of seven antiparallel beta strands forming two orthogonal beta sheets. This beta sandwich is capped at the C terminus by an alpha helix. It contains a peptide binding pocket (formed by the beta strand 5 and the C-terminal alpha helix) and a highly basic phospholipid binding "crown"(largely composed of residues from loop regions near the N terminus) [].
This entry represents the SH2 domain found in CSK and CHK. Both the C-terminal Src kinase (CSK) and CSK-homologous kinase (CHK) are members of the CSK-family of protein tyrosine kinases. These proteins suppress activity of Src-family kinases (SFK) by selectively phosphorylating the conserved C-terminal tail regulatory tyrosine by a similar mechanism []. CHK is also capable of inhibiting SFKs by a non-catalytic mechanism that involves binding of CHK to SFKs to form stable protein complexes. The unphosphorylated form of SFKs is inhibited by CSK and CHK by a two-step mechanism. The first step involves the formation of a complex of SFKs with CSK/CHK with the SFKs in the complex are inactive. The second step, involves the phosphorylation of the C-terminal tail tyrosine of SFKs, which then dissociates and adopt an inactive conformation. The structural basis of how the phosphorylated SFKs dissociate from CSK/CHK to adopt the inactive conformation is not known. The inactive conformation of SFKs is stabilized by two intramolecular inhibitory interactions: (a) the pYT:SH2 interaction in which the phosphorylated C-terminal tail tyrosine (YT) binds to the SH2 domain, and (b) the linker:SH3 interaction of which the SH2-kinase domain linker binds to the SH3 domain. SFKs are activated by multiple mechanisms including binding of the ligands to the SH2 and SH3 domains to displace the two inhibitory intramolecular interactions, autophosphorylation, and dephosphorylation of YT. By selective phosphorylation and the non-catalytic inhibitory mechanism CSK and CHK are able to inhibit the active forms of SFKs []. CSK and CHK are regulated by phosphorylation and inter-domain interactions. They both contain SH3, SH2, and kinase domains separated by the SH3-SH2 connector and SH2 kinase linker, intervening segments separating the three domains. They lack a conserved tyrosine phosphorylation site in the kinase domain and the C-terminal tail regulatory tyrosine phosphorylation site. The CSK SH2 domain is crucial for stabilizing the kinase domain in the active conformation. A disulfide bond here regulates CSK kinase activity. The subcellular localization and activity of CSK are regulated by its SH2 domain []. In general SH2 domains are involved in signal transduction. They typically bind pTyr-containing ligands via two surface pockets, a pTyr and hydrophobic binding pocket, allowing proteins with SH2 domains to localize to tyrosine phosphorylated sites [].
Antigen (Ag) recognition by the T cell receptor (TCR) induces activation ofT lymphocytes. However, TCR-mediated signals alone are insufficient forefficient T cell activation, and additional co-stimulatory signals are required. One of the most important surface molecules that delivers co-stimulatory signals for T cells is CD28. The human T lymphocyte Ag CD28 (Tp44) is a homodimeric 90kDa glycoprotein expressed on the surface of themajority of human peripheral T cells and lymphocytes. Stimulation of CD4+ Tcells in the absence of CD28 co-signalling causes impaired proliferation, reduced cytokine production and altered generation of helper T cell subsets.Co-stimulation via CD28 promotes T cell viability, clonal expansion,cytokine production and effector functions, while also regulating apoptosisof activated T cells, suggesting its importance in regulating long-term T cell survival [, , , ].Ligands for CD28 and the structurally related CTLA-4 (CD152) are themolecules B7.1 (CD80) and B7.2 (CD86). B7.1 and B7.2 are expressed onprofessional antigen presenting cells (APCs) and their expression is up-regulated during an immune response. Ligation of CD28 by its natural ligandsresults in tyrosine phosphorylation at a YMNM motif within its cytoplasmictail. The phosphorylated motif subsequently interacts with the Src homology2 domain in the p85 regulatory subunit of P13K, activating the p110 catalytic subunit. One of the P13K-dependent downstream targets, resulting from the antibody cross-linking of CD28, is the phoshporylation and activation of Akt (or PKB). Constitutively active Akt is able to substitutefor CD28 signals, and stimulates IL-2 production when introduced into matureCD28-deficient cells. Another molecule affected by CD28 stimulation is theproto-oncogene Vav, which acts as a guanine-nucleotide exchange factor forRac and CDC42, allowing these molecules to switch from the inactive GDP-bound state to the active GTP-bound state [, ].Another interesting feature of CD28, is its ability to induce expression ofPDE7, a cAMP phosphodiesterase, thus reducing cellular cAMP levels. cAMP hasbeen reported to affect nearly every pathway important for lymphocyteactivation, leading to inhibition of T cell proliferation. Specifically,increased intracellular cAMP has been implicated in the induction of T cellanergy, a non-responsive state that occurs after T cells are stimulatedthrough TCR/CD3 in the absence of co-stimulation. This can have therapeutic implications, in that blockage of CD28 co-stimulation can be profoundlyimmunosuppressive, preventing induction of pathogenic T cell responses inautoimmune disease models, and allowing for prolonged acceptance of allografts in models of organ transplantation []. Finally, CD28 co-stimulation directly controls T cell cycle progression by down-regulating the cdk inhibitor p27kip1, which actually integratesmitogenic MEK and P13K-dependent signals from both TCR and CD28 [].
The Btk-type zinc finger or Btk motif (BM) is a conserved zinc-binding motif containing conserved cysteines and a histidine that is present in certain eukaryotic signalling proteins. The motif is named after Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk), an enzyme which is essential for B cell maturation in humans and mice [, ]. Btk is a member of the Tec family of protein tyrosine kinases (PTK). These kinases contain a conserved Tec homology (TH) domain between the N-terminal pleckstrin homology (PH) domain () and the Src homology 3 (SH3) domain (). The N-terminal of the TH domain is highly conserved and known as the Btf motif, while the C-terminal region of the TH domain contains a proline-rich region (PRR). The Btk motif contains a conserved His and three Cys residues that form a zinc finger (although these differ from known zinc finger topologies), while PRRs are commonly involved in protein-protein interactions, including interactions with G proteins [, ]. The TH domain may be of functional importance in various signalling pathways in different species []. A complete TH domain, containing both the Btk and PRR regions, has not been found outside the Tec family; however, the Btk motif on its own does occur in other proteins, usually C-terminal to a PH domain (note that although a Btk motif always occurs C-terminal to a PH domain, not all PH domains are followed by a Btk motif).The crystal structures of Btk show that the Btk-type zinc finger has a globular core, formed by a long loop which is held together by a zinc ion, and that the Btk motif is packed against the PH domain []. The zinc-binding residues are a histidine and three cysteines, which are fully conserved in the Btk motif []. Proteins known to contain a Btk-type zinc finger include:Mammalian Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk), a protein tyrosine kinase involved in modulation of diverse cellular processes. Mutations affecting Btk are the cause of X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) in humans and X-linked immunodeficiency in mice. Mammalian Tec, Bmx, and Itk proteins, which are tyrosine protein kinases of the Tec subfamily. Drosophila tyrosine-protein kinase Btk29A, which is required for the development of proper ring canals and of male genitalia and required for adult survival. Mammalian Ras GTPase-activating proteins (RasGAP), which regulate the activation of inactive GDP-bound Ras by converting GDP to GTP.
Cyclase-associated proteins (CAPs) are highly conserved actin-binding proteins present in a wide range of organisms including yeast, fly, plants, and mammals. CAPs are multifunctional proteins that contain several structural domains. CAP is involved in species-specific signalling pathways [, , , ]. In Drosophila, CAP functions in Hedgehog-mediated eye development and in establishing oocyte polarity. In Dictyostelium (slim mold), CAP is involved in microfilament reorganisation near the plasma membrane in a PIP2-regulated manner and is required to perpetuate the cAMP relay signal to organise fruitbody formation. In plants, CAP is involved in plant signalling pathways required for co-ordinated organ expansion. In yeast, CAP is involved in adenylate cyclase activation, as well as in vesicle trafficking and endocytosis. In both yeast and mammals, CAPs appear to be involved in recycling G-actin monomers from ADF/cofilins for subsequent rounds of filament assembly [, ]. In mammals, there are two different CAPs (CAP1 and CAP2) that share 64% amino acid identity. All CAPs appear to contain a C-terminal actin-binding domain that regulates actin remodelling in response to cellular signals and is required for normal cellular morphology, cell division, growth and locomotion in eukaryotes. CAP directly regulates actin filament dynamics and has been implicated in a number of complex developmental and morphological processes, including mRNA localisation and the establishment of cell polarity. Actin exists both as globular (G) (monomeric) actin subunits and assembled into filamentous (F) actin. In cells, actin cycles between these two forms. Proteins that bind F-actin often regulate F-actin assembly and its interaction with other proteins, while proteins that interact with G-actin often control the availability of unpolymerised actin. CAPs bind G-actin. In addition to actin-binding, CAPs can have additional roles, and may act as bifunctional proteins. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Baker's yeast), CAP is a component of the adenylyl cyclase complex (Cyr1p) that serves as an effector of Ras during normal cell signalling. S. cerevisiae CAP functions to expose adenylate cyclase binding sites to Ras, thereby enabling adenylate cyclase to be activated by Ras regulatory signals. In Schizosaccharomyces pombe (Fission yeast), CAP is also required for adenylate cyclase activity, but not through the Ras pathway. In both organisms, the N-terminal domain is responsible for adenylate cyclase activation, but the S cerevisiae and S. pombe N-termini cannot complement one another. Yeast CAPs are unique among the CAP family of proteins, because they are the only ones to directly interact with and activate adenylate cyclase []. S. cerevisiae CAP has four major domains. In addition to the N-terminal adenylate cyclase-interacting domain, and the C-terminal actin-binding domain, it possesses two other domains: a proline-rich domain that interacts with Src homology 3 (SH3) domains of specific proteins, and a domain that is responsible for CAP oligomerisation to form multimeric complexes (although oligomerisation appears to involve the N- and C-terminal domains as well). The proline-rich domain interacts with profilin, a protein that catalyses nucleotide exchange on G-actin monomers and promotes addition to barbed ends of filamentous F-actin []. Since CAP can bind profilin via a proline-rich domain, and G-actin via a C-terminal domain, it has been suggested that a ternary G-actin/CAP/profilin complex could be formed.This entry represents CAP proteins from various organisms.
Cyclase-associated proteins (CAPs) are highly conserved actin-binding proteins present in a wide range of organisms including yeast, fly, plants, and mammals. CAPs are multifunctional proteins that contain several structural domains. CAP is involved in species-specific signalling pathways [, , , ]. In Drosophila, CAP functions in Hedgehog-mediated eye development and in establishing oocyte polarity. In Dictyostelium (slim mold), CAP is involved in microfilament reorganisation near the plasma membrane in a PIP2-regulated manner and is required to perpetuate the cAMP relay signal to organise fruitbody formation. In plants, CAP is involved in plant signalling pathways required for co-ordinated organ expansion. In yeast, CAP is involved in adenylate cyclase activation, as well as in vesicle trafficking and endocytosis. In both yeast and mammals, CAPs appear to be involved in recycling G-actin monomers from ADF/cofilins for subsequent rounds of filament assembly [, ]. In mammals, there are two different CAPs (CAP1 and CAP2) that share 64% amino acid identity. All CAPs appear to contain a C-terminal actin-binding domain that regulates actin remodelling in response to cellular signals and is required for normal cellular morphology, cell division, growth and locomotion in eukaryotes. CAP directly regulates actin filament dynamics and has been implicated in a number of complex developmental and morphological processes, including mRNA localisation and the establishment of cell polarity. Actin exists both as globular (G) (monomeric) actin subunits and assembled into filamentous (F) actin. In cells, actin cycles between these two forms. Proteins that bind F-actin often regulate F-actin assembly and its interaction with other proteins, while proteins that interact with G-actin often control the availability of unpolymerised actin. CAPs bind G-actin. In addition to actin-binding, CAPs can have additional roles, and may act as bifunctional proteins. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Baker's yeast), CAP is a component of the adenylyl cyclase complex (Cyr1p) that serves as an effector of Ras during normal cell signalling. S. cerevisiae CAP functions to expose adenylate cyclase binding sites to Ras, thereby enabling adenylate cyclase to be activated by Ras regulatory signals. In Schizosaccharomyces pombe (Fission yeast), CAP is also required for adenylate cyclase activity, but not through the Ras pathway. In both organisms, the N-terminal domain is responsible for adenylate cyclase activation, but the S cerevisiae and S. pombe N-termini cannot complement one another. Yeast CAPs are unique among the CAP family of proteins, because they are the only ones to directly interact with and activate adenylate cyclase []. S. cerevisiae CAP has four major domains. In addition to the N-terminal adenylate cyclase-interacting domain, and the C-terminal actin-binding domain, it possesses two other domains: a proline-rich domain that interacts with Src homology 3 (SH3) domains of specific proteins, and a domain that is responsible for CAP oligomerisation to form multimeric complexes (although oligomerisation appears to involve the N- and C-terminal domains as well). The proline-rich domain interacts with profilin, a protein that catalyses nucleotide exchange on G-actin monomers and promotes addition to barbed ends of filamentous F-actin []. Since CAP can bind profilin via a proline-rich domain, and G-actin via a C-terminal domain, it has been suggested that a ternary G-actin/CAP/profilin complex could be formed.This entry represents the C-terminal domain of CAP proteins, which is responsible for G-actin-binding. This domain has a superhelical structure, where the superhelix turns are made of two β-strands each [].
Cyclase-associated proteins (CAPs) are highly conserved actin-binding proteins present in a wide range of organisms including yeast, fly, plants, and mammals. CAPs are multifunctional proteins that contain several structural domains. CAP is involved in species-specific signalling pathways [, , , ]. In Drosophila, CAP functions in Hedgehog-mediated eye development and in establishing oocyte polarity. In Dictyostelium (slim mold), CAP is involved in microfilament reorganisation near the plasma membrane in a PIP2-regulated manner and is required to perpetuate the cAMP relay signal to organise fruitbody formation. In plants, CAP is involved in plant signalling pathways required for co-ordinated organ expansion. In yeast, CAP is involved in adenylate cyclase activation, as well as in vesicle trafficking and endocytosis. In both yeast and mammals, CAPs appear to be involved in recycling G-actin monomers from ADF/cofilins for subsequent rounds of filament assembly [, ]. In mammals, there are two different CAPs (CAP1 and CAP2) that share 64% amino acid identity. All CAPs appear to contain a C-terminal actin-binding domain that regulates actin remodelling in response to cellular signals and is required for normal cellular morphology, cell division, growth and locomotion in eukaryotes. CAP directly regulates actin filament dynamics and has been implicated in a number of complex developmental and morphological processes, including mRNA localisation and the establishment of cell polarity. Actin exists both as globular (G) (monomeric) actin subunits and assembled into filamentous (F) actin. In cells, actin cycles between these two forms. Proteins that bind F-actin often regulate F-actin assembly and its interaction with other proteins, while proteins that interact with G-actin often control the availability of unpolymerised actin. CAPs bind G-actin. In addition to actin-binding, CAPs can have additional roles, and may act as bifunctional proteins. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Baker's yeast), CAP is a component of the adenylyl cyclase complex (Cyr1p) that serves as an effector of Ras during normal cell signalling. S. cerevisiae CAP functions to expose adenylate cyclase binding sites to Ras, thereby enabling adenylate cyclase to be activated by Ras regulatory signals. In Schizosaccharomyces pombe (Fission yeast), CAP is also required for adenylate cyclase activity, but not through the Ras pathway. In both organisms, the N-terminal domain is responsible for adenylate cyclase activation, but the S cerevisiae and S. pombe N-termini cannot complement one another. Yeast CAPs are unique among the CAP family of proteins, because they are the only ones to directly interact with and activate adenylate cyclase []. S. cerevisiae CAP has four major domains. In addition to the N-terminal adenylate cyclase-interacting domain, and the C-terminal actin-binding domain, it possesses two other domains: a proline-rich domain that interacts with Src homology 3 (SH3) domains of specific proteins, and a domain that is responsible for CAP oligomerisation to form multimeric complexes (although oligomerisation appears to involve the N- and C-terminal domains as well). The proline-rich domain interacts with profilin, a protein that catalyses nucleotide exchange on G-actin monomers and promotes addition to barbed ends of filamentous F-actin []. Since CAP can bind profilin via a proline-rich domain, and G-actin via a C-terminal domain, it has been suggested that a ternary G-actin/CAP/profilin complex could be formed.This entry represents the N-terminal domain of CAP proteins. This domain has an all-alpha structure consisting of six helices in a bundle with a left-handed twist and an up-and-down topology [].
Cyclase-associated proteins (CAPs) are highly conserved actin-binding proteins present in a wide range of organisms including yeast, fly, plants, and mammals. CAPs are multifunctional proteins that contain several structural domains. CAP is involved in species-specific signalling pathways [, , , ]. In Drosophila, CAP functions in Hedgehog-mediated eye development and in establishing oocyte polarity. In Dictyostelium (slim mold), CAP is involved in microfilament reorganisation near the plasma membrane in a PIP2-regulated manner and is required to perpetuate the cAMP relay signal to organise fruitbody formation. In plants, CAP is involved in plant signalling pathways required for co-ordinated organ expansion. In yeast, CAP is involved in adenylate cyclase activation, as well as in vesicle trafficking and endocytosis. In both yeast and mammals, CAPs appear to be involved in recycling G-actin monomers from ADF/cofilins for subsequent rounds of filament assembly [, ]. In mammals, there are two different CAPs (CAP1 and CAP2) that share 64% amino acid identity. All CAPs appear to contain a C-terminal actin-binding domain that regulates actin remodelling in response to cellular signals and is required for normal cellular morphology, cell division, growth and locomotion in eukaryotes. CAP directly regulates actin filament dynamics and has been implicated in a number of complex developmental and morphological processes, including mRNA localisation and the establishment of cell polarity. Actin exists both as globular (G) (monomeric) actin subunits and assembled into filamentous (F) actin. In cells, actin cycles between these two forms. Proteins that bind F-actin often regulate F-actin assembly and its interaction with other proteins, while proteins that interact with G-actin often control the availability of unpolymerised actin. CAPs bind G-actin. In addition to actin-binding, CAPs can have additional roles, and may act as bifunctional proteins. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Baker's yeast), CAP is a component of the adenylyl cyclase complex (Cyr1p) that serves as an effector of Ras during normal cell signalling. S. cerevisiae CAP functions to expose adenylate cyclase binding sites to Ras, thereby enabling adenylate cyclase to be activated by Ras regulatory signals. In Schizosaccharomyces pombe (Fission yeast), CAP is also required for adenylate cyclase activity, but not through the Ras pathway. In both organisms, the N-terminal domain is responsible for adenylate cyclase activation, but the S cerevisiae and S. pombe N-termini cannot complement one another. Yeast CAPs are unique among the CAP family of proteins, because they are the only ones to directly interact with and activate adenylate cyclase []. S. cerevisiae CAP has four major domains. In addition to the N-terminal adenylate cyclase-interacting domain, and the C-terminal actin-binding domain, it possesses two other domains: a proline-rich domain that interacts with Src homology 3 (SH3) domains of specific proteins, and a domain that is responsible for CAP oligomerisation to form multimeric complexes (although oligomerisation appears to involve the N- and C-terminal domains as well). The proline-rich domain interacts with profilin, a protein that catalyses nucleotide exchange on G-actin monomers and promotes addition to barbed ends of filamentous F-actin []. Since CAP can bind profilin via a proline-rich domain, and G-actin via a C-terminal domain, it has been suggested that a ternary G-actin/CAP/profilin complex could be formed.This entry represents the C-terminal domain of CAP proteins, which is responsible for G-actin-binding. This domain has a superhelical structure, where the superhelix turns are made of two β-strands each [].
Cyclase-associated proteins (CAPs) are highly conserved actin-binding proteins present in a wide range of organisms including yeast, fly, plants, and mammals. CAPs are multifunctional proteins that contain several structural domains. CAP is involved in species-specific signalling pathways [, , , ]. In Drosophila, CAP functions in Hedgehog-mediated eye development and in establishing oocyte polarity. In Dictyostelium (slim mold), CAP is involved in microfilament reorganisation near the plasma membrane in a PIP2-regulated manner and is required to perpetuate the cAMP relay signal to organise fruitbody formation. In plants, CAP is involved in plant signalling pathways required for co-ordinated organ expansion. In yeast, CAP is involved in adenylate cyclase activation, as well as in vesicle trafficking and endocytosis. In both yeast and mammals, CAPs appear to be involved in recycling G-actin monomers from ADF/cofilins for subsequent rounds of filament assembly [, ]. In mammals, there are two different CAPs (CAP1 and CAP2) that share 64% amino acid identity. All CAPs appear to contain a C-terminal actin-binding domain that regulates actin remodelling in response to cellular signals and is required for normal cellular morphology, cell division, growth and locomotion in eukaryotes. CAP directly regulates actin filament dynamics and has been implicated in a number of complex developmental and morphological processes, including mRNA localisation and the establishment of cell polarity. Actin exists both as globular (G) (monomeric) actin subunits and assembled into filamentous (F) actin. In cells, actin cycles between these two forms. Proteins that bind F-actin often regulate F-actin assembly and its interaction with other proteins, while proteins that interact with G-actin often control the availability of unpolymerised actin. CAPs bind G-actin. In addition to actin-binding, CAPs can have additional roles, and may act as bifunctional proteins. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Baker's yeast), CAP is a component of the adenylyl cyclase complex (Cyr1p) that serves as an effector of Ras during normal cell signalling. S. cerevisiae CAP functions to expose adenylate cyclase binding sites to Ras, thereby enabling adenylate cyclase to be activated by Ras regulatory signals. In Schizosaccharomyces pombe (Fission yeast), CAP is also required for adenylate cyclase activity, but not through the Ras pathway. In both organisms, the N-terminal domain is responsible for adenylate cyclase activation, but the S cerevisiae and S. pombe N-termini cannot complement one another. Yeast CAPs are unique among the CAP family of proteins, because they are the only ones to directly interact with and activate adenylate cyclase []. S. cerevisiae CAP has four major domains. In addition to the N-terminal adenylate cyclase-interacting domain, and the C-terminal actin-binding domain, it possesses two other domains: a proline-rich domain that interacts with Src homology 3 (SH3) domains of specific proteins, and a domain that is responsible for CAP oligomerisation to form multimeric complexes (although oligomerisation appears to involve the N- and C-terminal domains as well). The proline-rich domain interacts with profilin, a protein that catalyses nucleotide exchange on G-actin monomers and promotes addition to barbed ends of filamentous F-actin []. Since CAP can bind profilin via a proline-rich domain, and G-actin via a C-terminal domain, it has been suggested that a ternary G-actin/CAP/profilin complex could be formed.This entry represents the N-terminal domain of CAP proteins. This domain has an all-alpha structure consisting of six helices in a bundle with a left-handed twist and an up-and-down topology [].
