Nature Structural & Molecular Biology12, 772 - 778 (2005)
Published online: 21 August 2005; | doi:10.1038/nsmb979
Translation elongation factor 1A is essential for regulation of the actin cytoskeleton and cell morphology
Stephane R Gross
& Terri Goss Kinzy
Department of Molecular Genetics, Microbiology & Immunology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey−Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA.
Correspondence should be addressed to Terri Goss Kinzy kinzytg@umdnj.edu
The binding of eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1A (eEF1A) to actin is a noncanonical function that may link two distinct cellular processes, cytoskeleton organization and gene expression. Using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we have established an in vivo assay that directly identifies specific regions and residues of eEF1A responsible for actin interactions and bundling. Using a unique genetic screen, we isolated a series of eEF1A mutants with reduced actin bundling activity. These mutations alter actin cytoskeleton organization but not translation, indicating that these are separate functions of eEF1A. This demonstrates for the first time a direct consequence of eEF1A on cytoskeletal organization in vivo and the physiological significance of this interaction.
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