The membrane-actin linker ezrin acts as a sliding anchor

Author:

Korkmazhan Elgin12ORCID,Dunn Alexander R.1ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 USA.

2. Graduate Program in Biophysics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 USA.

Abstract

Protein linkages to filamentous (F)–actin provide the cell membrane with mechanical stability and support intricate membrane architectures. However, the actin cytoskeleton is highly dynamic and undergoes rapid changes in shape during cell motility and other processes. The molecular mechanisms that generate a mechanically robust yet fluid connection between the membrane and actin cytoskeleton remain poorly understood. Here, we adapted a single-molecule optical trap assay to examine how the prototypical membrane-actin linker ezrin acts to anchor F-actin to the cell membrane. We find that ezrin forms a complex that slides along F-actin over micrometer distances while resisting detachment by forces oriented perpendicular to the filament axis. The ubiquity of ezrin and analogous proteins suggests that sliding anchors such as ezrin may constitute an important but overlooked element in the construction of the actin cytoskeleton.

Publisher

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Subject

Multidisciplinary

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