Metabolic compartmentation in living cells: structural association of aldolase

J Wang, DR Tolan, L Pagliaro - Experimental cell research, 1997 - Elsevier
Experimental cell research, 1997Elsevier
The glycolytic enzyme aldolase is concentrated in a domain around stress fibers in living
Swiss 3T3 cells, but the mechanism by which aldolase is localized has not been revealed.
We have recently identified a molecular binding site for F-actin on aldolase, and we
hypothesized that this specific binding interaction, rather than a nonspecific mechanism, is
responsible for localizing aldolasein vivo. In this report, we have used fluorescent analog
cytochemistry of a site-directed mutant of aldolase to demonstrate that actin-binding activity …
The glycolytic enzyme aldolase is concentrated in a domain around stress fibers in living Swiss 3T3 cells, but the mechanism by which aldolase is localized has not been revealed. We have recently identified a molecular binding site for F-actin on aldolase, and we hypothesized that this specific binding interaction, rather than a nonspecific mechanism, is responsible for localizing aldolasein vivo.In this report, we have used fluorescent analog cytochemistry of a site-directed mutant of aldolase to demonstrate that actin-binding activity localizes this molecule along stress fibers in quiescent cells and behind active ruffles in the leading edge of motile cells. The specific cytoskeletal association of aldolase could play a structural role in cytoplasm, and it may contribute to metabolic regulation, metabolic compartmentation, and/or cell motility. Functional duality may be a widespread feature among cytosolic enzymes.
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