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Updated: Jun 21, 2025

Characterization at the Molecular Level using Robust Biochemical Approaches of a New Kinase Protein
Published on: June 30, 2019
Tandem LIM domain-containing proteins, LIMK1 and LMO1, directly bind to force-bearing keratin intermediate filaments
Dah Som Kim1, Joleen S Cheah1, Tzu Wei Lai1
1Biomedical Engineering Department, University of California, Davis, Davis CA 95616, USA.
Abstract:
The cytoskeleton of the cell is constantly exposed to physical forces that regulate cellular functions. Selected members of the LIM (Lin-11, Isl-1, and Mec-3) domain-containing protein family accumulate along force-bearing actin fibers, with evidence supporting that the LIM domain is solely responsible for this force-induced interaction. However, LIM domain's force-induced interactions are not limited to actin. LIMK1 and LMO1, both containing only two tandem LIM domains, are recruited to force-bearing keratin fibers in epithelial cells. This unique recruitment is mediated by their LIM domains and regulated by the sequences outside the LIM domains. Based on in vitro reconstitution of this interaction, LIMK1 and LMO1 directly interact with stretched keratin 8/18 fibers. These results show that LIM domain's mechano-sensing abilities extend to the keratin cytoskeleton, highlighting the diverse role of LIM proteins in force-regulated signaling.
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