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