Mechanism of Actin Filament Severing and Capping by Gelsolin

Abstract

Gelsolin is the prototypical member of a family of Ca²⁺-dependent F-actin severing and capping proteins. A structure of Ca²⁺-bound full-length gelsolin at the barbed end shows domains G1G6 and the inter-domain linkers wrapping around F-actin. Another structure shows domains G1G3, a fragment produced during apoptosis, on both sides of F-actin. Conformational changes that trigger severing occur on one side of F-actin with G1G6 and on both sides with G1G3. Gelsolin remains bound after severing, blocking subunit exchange.