Helical disorder and the filament structure of F-actin are elucidated by the angle-layered aggregate

Abstract

Angle-layered aggregates of F-actin are net-like structures induced by Mg2+ concentrations below that used to form paracrystals. These aggregates incorporate the angular disorder of subunits, which has been described elsewhere for isolated actin filaments. Because this disorder is incorporated into the aggregates in solution at the time they are formed, the possibility of negative stain preparation being responsible for the disorder is excluded. The simple two-layered geometry of the angle-layered aggregate provides information about the shape of the component actin filaments free from the superposition of large numbers of layers. A model for the filament shape, derived from single filaments and confirmed by the angle-layered aggregate, is different from those that have previously emerged from paracrystal studies. An understanding of the interfilament bond in both the angle-layered aggregate and the paracrystal allows one to reconcile these different models. We have found a bipolar bonding rule, with staggered crossover points in the angle-layered aggregate, which we suggest is also responsible for Mg2+ paracrystals. This bonding rule can explain the apparent alignment of crossover points in adjacent filaments in paracrystals as a consequence of the superposition of staggered filaments.