Interaction of the p62 subunit of dynactin with Arp1 and the cortical actin cytoskeleton

Curr Biol. 1999 Dec;9(24):1497-500. doi: 10.1016/s0960-9822(00)80122-0.

Abstract

Targeting of the minus-end directed microtubule motor cytoplasmic dynein to a wide array of intracellular substrates appears to be mediated by an accessory factor known as dynactin [1-4]. Dynactin is a multi-subunit complex that contains a short actin-related protein 1 (Arp 1) filament with capZ at the barbed end and p62 at the pointed end [5]. The location of the p62 subunit and the proposed role for dynactin as a multifunctional targeting complex raise the possibility of a dual role for p62 in dynein targeting and in Arp1 pointed-end capping. In order to gain further insight into the role of p62 in dynactin function, we have cloned cDNAs that encode two full-length isoforms of the protein from rat brain. We found that p62 is homologous to the nuclear migration protein Ropy-2 from Neurospora [6]; both proteins contain a zinc-binding motif that resembles the LIM domain of several other cytoskeletal proteins [7]. Overexpression of p62 in cultured mammalian cells revealed colocalization with cortical actin, stress fibers, and focal adhesion sites, sites of potential interaction between microtubules and the cell cortex [8,9]. The p62 protein also colocalized with polymers of overexpressed wild-type or barbed-end-mutant Arp1, but not with a pointed-end mutant. Deletion of the LIM domain abolished targeting of p62 to focal-adhesion sites but did not interfere with binding of p62 to actin or Arp1. These data implicate p62 in Arp1 pointed-end binding and suggest additional roles in linking dynein and dynactin to the cortical cytoskeleton.

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • COS Cells
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism*
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Dynactin Complex
  • Microfilament Proteins*
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / chemistry*
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / genetics
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Mutation
  • Protein Isoforms / chemistry
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Rats
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Sequence Deletion
  • Zinc Fingers / genetics
  • src Homology Domains*

Substances

  • Actins
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Dbnl protein, rat
  • Dynactin Complex
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • actin-related protein 1, rat

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF192493
  • GENBANK/AF192494