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The gelsolin family of actin regulatory proteins: modular structures, versatile functions
Author(s) -
McGough Amy M,
Staiger Chris J,
Min Jung-Ki,
Simonetti Karen D
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(03)00932-3
Subject(s) - gelsolin , actin , actin binding protein , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , chemistry , biochemistry , actin cytoskeleton , cytoskeleton , cell
This issue of FEBS Letters includes two manuscripts describing structural studies of gelsolin, the best‐characterized member of a superfamily of actin binding proteins that sever, cap, and in some cases nucleate and bundle actin filaments. The manuscripts by Narayan et al. and Irobi et al. provide snapshots of gelsolin domains activated by calcium and in complex with the actin monomer, revealing new insights into the remarkable actin regulatory activities of this versatile protein. These studies build upon nearly a quarter of a century of research on gelsolin's effects on actin dynamics and its role in normal and diseased cells. In the following minireview, we summarize the structural studies that have provided insights into gelsolin's severing and capping activities and look to the future of work on this remarkable molecule.