A unique talin homologue with a villin headpiece-like domain is required for multicellular morphogenesis in Dictyostelium

Tsujioka, M., Machesky, L.M. , Cole, S.L., Yahata, K. and Inouye, K. (1999) A unique talin homologue with a villin headpiece-like domain is required for multicellular morphogenesis in Dictyostelium. Current Biology, 9(7), pp. 389-394. (doi: 10.1016/S0960-9822(99)80169-9) (PMID:10209124)

Abstract

Molecules involved in the interaction between the extracellular matrix, cell membrane and cytoskeleton are of central importance in morphogenesis. Talin is a large cytoskeletal protein with a modular structure consisting of an amino-terminal membrane-interacting domain, with sequence similarities to members of the band 4.1 family, and a carboxy-terminal region containing F-actin-binding and vinculin-binding domains [1], [2]. It also interacts with the cytoplasmic tail of β integrins which, on the external face of the membrane, bind to extracellular matrix proteins [3]. The possible roles of talin in multicellular morphogenesis in development remain largely unexplored. In Dictyostelium, a eukaryotic microorganism capable of multicellular morphogenesis, a talin homologue (TALA) has previously been identified and shown to play an important role in cell-to-substrate adhesion and maintenance of normal elastic properties of the cell [4], [5], [6]. Here, we describe a second talin homologue (TALB) that is required for multicellular morphogenesis in the development of Dictyostelium. Unlike any other talin characterised to date, it contains an additional carboxy-terminal domain homologous to the villin headpiece.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Machesky, Professor Laura
• Authors: Tsujioka, M., Machesky, L.M., Cole, S.L., Yahata, K., and Inouye, K.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
• Journal Name: Current Biology
• Publisher: Cell Press
• ISSN: 0960-9822
• ISSN (Online): 1879-0445
• Published Online: 27 January 2000