A molecular mechanism for LINC complex branching by structurally diverse SUN-KASH 6:6 assemblies

DOI: 10.7554/eLife.60175

Authors: Manickam Gurusaran (University of Edinburgh; Newcastle University) , Owen Davies (University of Edinburgh; Newcastle University)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Elife , VOL 10

State: Published (Approved)
Published: January 2021
Diamond Proposal Number(s): 13587 , 18598 , 15836

Abstract: The Linker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton (LINC) complex mechanically couples cytoskeletal and nuclear components across the nuclear envelope to fulfil a myriad of cellular functions, including nuclear shape and positioning, hearing, and meiotic chromosome movements. The canonical model is that 3:3 interactions between SUN and KASH proteins underlie the nucleocytoskeletal linkages provided by the LINC complex. Here, we provide crystallographic and biophysical evidence that SUN-KASH is a constitutive 6:6 complex in which two constituent 3:3 complexes interact head-to-head. A common SUN-KASH topology is achieved through structurally diverse 6:6 interaction mechanisms by distinct KASH proteins, including zinc-coordination by Nesprin-4. The SUN-KASH 6:6 interface provides a molecular mechanism for the establishment of integrative and distributive connections between 3:3 structures within a branched LINC complex network. In this model, SUN-KASH 6:6 complexes act as nodes for force distribution and integration between adjacent SUN and KASH molecules, enabling the coordinated transduction of large forces across the nuclear envelope.

Subject Areas: Biology and Bio-materials


Instruments: B21-High Throughput SAXS , I04-1-Macromolecular Crystallography (fixed wavelength) , I04-Macromolecular Crystallography

Discipline Tags:



Technical Tags: