Structural Analysis of Different LINC Complexes Reveals Distinct Binding Modes

• Published in: Journal of molecular biology Vol. 432; no. 23; pp. 6028 - 6041
• Main Authors: Cruz, Victor E., Esra Demircioglu, F., Schwartz, Thomas U.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 20.11.2020
• Subjects: Cell Cycle Proteins - chemistry; Cell Cycle Proteins - genetics; Cell Cycle Proteins - ultrastructure; Cell Nucleolus - genetics; Cell Nucleolus - ultrastructure; Chromosome Pairing - genetics; Crystallography, X-Ray; Cytoskeleton - genetics; Cytoskeleton - ultrastructure; Humans; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - chemistry; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - genetics; KASH proteins; mechanotransduction; Meiosis - genetics; Membrane Proteins - chemistry; Membrane Proteins - genetics; Membrane Proteins - ultrastructure; Microfilament Proteins - chemistry; Microfilament Proteins - genetics; Microfilament Proteins - ultrastructure; Multiprotein Complexes - chemistry; Multiprotein Complexes - genetics; Multiprotein Complexes - ultrastructure; nuclear envelope; Nuclear Envelope - genetics; Nuclear Envelope - ultrastructure; Nuclear Matrix - genetics; Nuclear Matrix - ultrastructure; nucleo-cytoplasmic communication; Peptides - chemistry; Peptides - genetics; Protein Conformation; SUN proteins; SUN proteins; nuclear envelope; nucleo-cytoplasmic communication; KASH proteins; mechanotransduction
• ISSN: 0022-2836; 1089-8638
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.09.019

[Display omitted] •High-resolution structures of SUN2-KASH complexes reveal two distinct binding modes.•A SUN2 trimer can engage different KASH-types simultaneously.•Apo-SUN may exist in a self-locked KASH-binding-inhibited state. Linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complexes are molecular tethers that span the nuclear envelope (NE) and physically connect the nucleus to the cytoskeleton. They transmit mechanical force across the NE in processes such as nuclear anchorage, nuclear migration, and homologous chromosome pairing during meiosis. LINC complexes are composed of KASH proteins traversing the outer nuclear membrane, and SUN proteins crossing the inner nuclear membrane. Humans have several SUN- and KASH-containing proteins, yet what governs their proper engagement is poorly understood. To investigate this question, we solved high resolution crystal structures of human SUN2 in complex with the KASH-peptides of Nesprin3, Nesprin4, and KASH5. In comparison to the published structures of SUN2-KASH1/2 we observe alternative binding modes for these KASH peptides. While the core interactions between SUN and the C-terminal residues of the KASH peptide are similar in all five complexes, the extended KASH-peptide adopts at least two different conformations. The much-improved resolution allows for a more detailed analysis of other elements critical for KASH interaction, including the KASH-lid and the cation loop, and a possible self-locked state for unbound SUN. In summary, we observe distinct differences between the examined SUN-KASH complexes. These differences may have an important role in regulating the SUN-KASH network.