Comparative analysis of the MyTH4-FERM myosins reveals insights into the determinants of actin track selection in polarized epithelia

Mol Biol Cell. 2021 Nov 1;32(21):ar30. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E20-07-0494. Epub 2021 Sep 2.

Abstract

MyTH4-FERM (MF) myosins evolved to play a role in the creation and function of a variety of actin-based membrane protrusions that extend from cells. Here we performed an analysis of the MF myosins, Myo7A, Myo7B, and Myo10, to gain insight into how they select for their preferred actin networks. Using enterocytes that create spatially separated actin tracks in the form of apical microvilli and basal filopodia, we show that actin track selection is principally guided by the mode of oligomerization of the myosin along with the identity of the motor domain, with little influence from the specific composition of the lever arm. Chimeric variants of Myo7A and Myo7B fused to a leucine zipper parallel dimerization sequence in place of their native tails both selected apical microvilli as their tracks, while a truncated Myo10 used its native antiparallel coiled-coil to traffic to the tips of filopodia. Swapping lever arms between the Class 7 and 10 myosins did not change actin track preference. Surprisingly, fusing the motor-neck region of Myo10 to a leucine zipper or oligomerization sequences derived from the Myo7A and Myo7B cargo proteins USH1G and ANKS4B, respectively, re-encoded the actin track usage of Myo10 to apical microvilli with significant efficiency.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Enterocytes / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Microvilli / metabolism
  • Movement / physiology*
  • Myosins / genetics
  • Myosins / metabolism*
  • Phagocytosis / physiology
  • Protein Domains / genetics
  • Protein Domains / physiology*
  • Pseudopodia / metabolism

Substances

  • Actins
  • Myosins