Does Vav bind to F-actin through a CH domain?

Abstract

An actin-binding protein domain we call here 'calponin-homology' or CH is present in signalling proteins such as Vav which are involved in activation and inactivation of small G-proteins. Using profile methods, we have detected two repeats of this domain in the actin-binding region of alpha-actinin and related proteins. Based on this, we propose that CH domain in Vav and other signalling proteins is employed for association with filamentous actin, and that this function correlates with their control on the G-proteins Rac and Rho which are involved in the organization of cytoskeleton.