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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2023.10.09.561521

Bsp1, a fungal CPI motif protein, regulates actin filament capping in endocytosis and cytokinesis

Hummel, D. R.·Hakala, M.·Toret, C. P.·Kaksonen, M.
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Abstract

The capping of barbed filament ends is a fundamental mechanism for actin regulation. Capping protein controls filament growth and actin turnover in cells by binding to the barbed ends of the filaments with high affinity and slow off-rate. The interaction between Capping protein and actin is regulated by capping protein interaction (CPI) motif proteins. We identified a novel CPI motif protein, Bsp1, which is involved in cytokinesis and endocytosis in budding yeast. We demonstrate that Bsp1 is an actin binding protein with a high affinity for capping protein via its CPI motif. In cells, Bsp1 regulates capping protein at endocytic sites and is a major recruiter of capping protein to the cytokinetic actin ring. Lastly, we define Bsp1-related proteins as a distinct fungi-specific CPI protein group. Our results suggest that Bsp1 promotes actin filament capping by the capping protein. This study establishes Bsp1 as a new capping protein regulator and promising candidate to regulate actin networks in fungi.

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Hummel, D. R., Hakala, M., Toret, C. P., Kaksonen, M.. 2023-10-10. Bsp1, a fungal CPI motif protein, regulates actin filament capping in endocytosis and cytokinesis. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.10.09.561521

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