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Evolution of spectrin function in cytoskeletal and membrane networks

Baines, Anthony J. (2009) Evolution of spectrin function in cytoskeletal and membrane networks. Biochemical Society Transactions, 37 (4). pp. 796-803. ISSN 0300-5127. (doi:10.1042/BST0370796) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:22670)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1042/BST0370796

Abstract

Spectrin is a cytoskeletal protein thought to have descended from an alpha-actinin-like ancestor. It emerged during evolution of animals to promote integration of cells into tissues by assembling signalling and cell adhesion complexes, by enhancing the mechanical stability of membranes and by promoting assembly of specialized membrane domains. Spectrin functions as an (alphabeta([H]))(2) tetramer that cross-links transmembrane proteins, membrane lipids and the actin cytoskeleton, either directly or via adaptor proteins such as ankyrin and 4.1. In the present paper, I review recent findings on the origins and adaptations in this system. (i) The genome of the choanoflagellate Monosiga brevicollis encodes alpha-, beta- and beta(Heavy)-spectrin, indicating that spectrins evolved in the immediate unicellular precursors of animals. (ii) Ankyrin and 4.1 are not encoded in that genome, indicating that spectrin gained function during subsequent animal evolution. (iii) Protein 4.1 gained a spectrin-binding activity in the evolution of vertebrates. (iv) Interaction of chicken or mammal beta-spectrin with PtdInsP(2) can be regulated by differential mRNA splicing, which can eliminate the PH (pleckstrin homology) domain in betaI- or betaII-spectrins; in the case of mammalian betaII-spectrin, the alternative C-terminal region encodes a phosphorylation site that regulates interaction with alpha-spectrin. (v) In mammalian evolution, the single pre-existing alpha-spectrin gene was duplicated, and one of the resulting pair (alphaI) neo-functionalized for rapid make-and-break of tetramers. I hypothesize that the elasticity of mammalian non-nucleated erythrocytes depends on the dynamic rearrangement of spectrin dimers/tetramers under the shearing forces experienced in circulation.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1042/BST0370796
Uncontrolled keywords: anaemia; ankyrin; evolution; genetic disease; protein 4.1; spectrin
Subjects: Q Science > QP Physiology (Living systems) > QP506 Molecular biology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Biosciences
Funders: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (https://ror.org/00cwqg982)
Depositing User: Anthony Baines
Date Deposited: 11 Sep 2009 09:35 UTC
Last Modified: 12 Jul 2022 10:39 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/22670 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Baines, Anthony J..

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