PMID: 16690081 , Related PDB id: 2D68

Authors:

Mikolajka A, Yan X, Popowicz GM, Smialowski P, Nigg EA, Holak TA

Title:

Structure of the N-terminal domain of the FOP (FGFR1OP) protein and implications for its dimerization and centrosomal localization.

Journal:

J Mol Biol. 2006 Jun 16;359(4):863-75. Epub 2006 Apr 24.

Abstract:

The fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) oncogene partner, FOP, is a centrosomal protein that is involved in the anchoring of microtubules (MTS) to subcellular structures. The protein was originally discovered as a fusion partner with FGFR1 in oncoproteins that give rise to stem cell myeloproliferative disorders. A subsequent proteomics screen identified FOP as a component of the centrosome. FOP contains a Lis-homology (LisH) motif found in more than 100 eukaryotic proteins. LisH motifs are believed to be involved in microtubule dynamics and organization, cell migration, and chromosome segregation; several of them are associated with genetic diseases. We report here a 1.6A resolution crystal structure of the N-terminal dimerization domain of FOP. The structure comprises an alpha-helical bundle composed of two antiparallel chains, each of them having five alpha-helices. The central part of the dimer contains the LisH domain. We further determined that the FOP LisH domain is part of a longer N-terminal segment that is required, albeit not sufficient, for dimerization and centrosomal localization of FOP.