Journal Article

PUBDB-2025-02336

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Insights into the solution structure of the actin-binding tail domain of metavinculin by small angle X-ray scattering and molecular dynamics simulations

Oztug Durer, Z. A. (Corresponding author) ; İnce, H. İ. ; Duvenci, Z. S. ; Timucin, E. ; Gräwert, T. ; Orun, O. ; Kan, B. ; Sayers, Z.

2025
Elsevier New York, NY [u.a.]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.144376

Abstract: Vinculin is a ubiquitously expressed focal adhesion protein that plays an important role in cell-matrix and cell-to-cell junctions. Metavinculin, a muscle-specific splice variant of vinculin, contains a 68-amino acid disordered insert region in its actin binding tail domain (MVt). Mutations in this insert are linked to cardiomyopathies. This study investigates the solution structures and structural ensembles of wild-type (WT) and two mutant MVts, ΔLeu954 and R975W, which have been associated with cardiomyopathies, using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. SAXS analyses revealed subtle differences in the estimated maximum dimensions and corroborated the elongated shape of the MVts. Quantitative comparisons of SAXS profiles indicated similarity between the WT and ΔLeu954, whereas R975W exhibited differences in the small-angle region. MD simulations demonstrated reduced conformational flexibility and greater packing of the insert in WT compared to mutants. Notably, a salt-bridge observed between R975 and D907 in a WT simulation provides a structural basis for the destabilization caused by the R975W mutation. These findings provide insights into the structure and dynamics of WT and mutant MVt, reflecting the promise of SAXS combined with MD simulations to elucidate the structural properties of proteins with structural disorder.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. EMBL-User (EMBL-User)
2. EMBL (EMBL)

Research Program(s):

1. 6G3 - PETRA III (DESY) (POF4-6G3) (POF4-6G3)

Experiment(s):

1. PETRA Beamline P12 (PETRA III)

Appears in the scientific report 2025

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Database coverage:
; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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