Scaffold protein

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A scaffold protein (from the English " scaffold protein ") is a specific protein whose main function the mediation of protein complexes is. Scaffold proteins usually have several protein domains that mediate binding to other proteins. The function of the protein complex can also be controlled via these scaffold proteins by controlling these interactions (e.g. by means of phosphorylation ).

Examples of scaffold proteins

The scaffold protein inaD in insect eyes

The inaD protein in the rhabdomers of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is a very well-studied scaffold protein, but a homologue of which has also been found in humans. It contains five PDZ domains , which specifically bring together all proteins involved in visual signal transduction ( rhodopsin , kinases , ion channels ) and anchored them to the cytoskeleton (via a myosin ).

The protein titin found in vertebrate muscles

Titin is a very large protein in muscle. The tasks of titin in the sarcomere are to center the myosin filaments between the actin filaments and to reset the contractile apparatus after stretching. Titin also serves as a structural protein for various other proteins ( calmodulin , actinin, etc.), which are essential for muscle work. For this purpose it has several SH3 domains , fibronectin type III domains and other domains.

literature

  • C. Montell: Visual transduction in Drosophila. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. 1999; 15: 231-68. PMID 10611962

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