Actinin-associated LIM protein: identification of a domain interaction between PDZ and spectrin-like repeat motifs

H Xia, ST Winokur, WL Kuo, MR Altherr… - The Journal of cell …, 1997 - rupress.org
H Xia, ST Winokur, WL Kuo, MR Altherr, DS Bredt
The Journal of cell biology, 1997rupress.org
PDZ motifs are protein–protein interaction domains that often bind to COOH-terminal peptide
sequences. The two PDZ proteins characterized in skeletal muscle, syntrophin and neuronal
nitric oxide synthase, occur in the dystrophin complex, suggesting a role for PDZ proteins in
muscular dystrophy. Here, we identify actinin-associated LIM protein (ALP), a novel protein
in skeletal muscle that contains an NH2-terminal PDZ domain and a COOH-terminal LIM
motif. ALP is expressed at high levels only in differentiated skeletal muscle, while an …
PDZ motifs are protein–protein interaction domains that often bind to COOH-terminal peptide sequences. The two PDZ proteins characterized in skeletal muscle, syntrophin and neuronal nitric oxide synthase, occur in the dystrophin complex, suggesting a role for PDZ proteins in muscular dystrophy. Here, we identify actinin-associated LIM protein (ALP), a novel protein in skeletal muscle that contains an NH2-terminal PDZ domain and a COOH-terminal LIM motif. ALP is expressed at high levels only in differentiated skeletal muscle, while an alternatively spliced form occurs at low levels in the heart. ALP is not a component of the dystrophin complex, but occurs in association with α-actinin-2 at the Z lines of myofibers. Biochemical and yeast two-hybrid analyses demonstrate that the PDZ domain of ALP binds to the spectrin-like motifs of α-actinin-2, defining a new mode for PDZ domain interactions. Fine genetic mapping studies demonstrate that ALP occurs on chromosome 4q35, near the heterochromatic locus that is mutated in fascioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.
rupress.org