Forum 10/04/2007

“Structural basis of actin filament nucleation and processive capping by a formin homology 2 domain”

Takanori Otomo, Assistant Professor – Department of Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA

Formin proteins regulate cellular actin dynamics by promoting nucleation of filaments and modulating rates of filament elongation. I will discuss molecular mechanisms of these functions of the FH2 domain based on a crystal structure of the formin-actin complex and biochemical data. I will also discuss my future directions as a new member in TSRI.