Journal Article

DKFZ-2020-01212

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Effect of Divalent Cations on the Structure and Mechanics of Vimentin Intermediate Filaments.

Wu, H. ; Shen, Y. ; Wang, D. ; Herrmann, H.DKFZ* ; Goldman, R. D. ; Weitz, D. A.

2020
Soc. Bethesda, Md.

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1016/j.bpj.2020.05.016

Abstract: Divalent cations behave as effective cross-linkers of intermediate filaments (IFs) such as vimentin IF (VIF). These interactions have been mostly attributed to their multivalency. However, ion-protein interactions often depend on the ion species, and these effects have not been widely studied in IFs. Here, we investigate the effects of two biologically important divalent cations, Zn2+ and Ca2+, on VIF network structure and mechanics in vitro. We find that the network structure is unperturbed at micromolar Zn2+ concentrations, but strong bundle formation is observed at a concentration of 100 μみゅーM. Microrheological measurements show that network stiffness increases with cation concentration. However, bundling of filaments softens the network. This trend also holds for VIF networks formed in the presence of Ca2+, but remarkably, a concentration of Ca2+ that is two orders higher is needed to achieve the same effect as with Zn2+, which suggests the importance of salt-protein interactions as described by the Hofmeister effect. Furthermore, we find evidence of competitive binding between the two divalent ion species. Hence, specific interactions between VIFs and divalent cations are likely to be an important mechanism by which cells can control their cytoplasmic mechanics.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. B060 Molekulare Genetik (B060)

Research Program(s):

1. 312 - Functional and structural genomics (POF3-312) (POF3-312)

Appears in the scientific report 2020

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Database coverage:
; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; NCBI Molecular Biology Database ; PubMed Central ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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