Expression Studies of Other Unconventional Myosins

National Heart, Lung, And Blood Institute

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Abstract

Myosin XVIIIa has a large predicted coiled-coil forming sequence, but the structure of the myosin has not been examined on a single molecule level. We expressed full length myosin XVIIIa from mouse and showed that it has a long tail similar to that of myosin II. We are examining whether this tail can form filaments. We are also studying myosin XVIIIa from Drosophila. We have been examining two isoforms of this myosin that differ in their amino-terminal sequences. One isoform contains a PDZ domain at the N-terminus while the other does not. Neither isoform of this myosin has an actin activated MgATPase, and or binds nucleotide. Both bind to actin in an ATP-independent manner with an affinity of around 1 uM. Interestingly, there is a an equilibrium between two states of the myosin, one that is competent to bind actin and one that is not. Optical trapping experiments demonstrate that the myosin can interact with actin, but there is no net displacement of actin resulting from these interactions. We have also begun expressing myosin IXb and are studying its interaction with actin.