Differential actin binding along the PEVK domain of skeletal muscle titin

Parts of the PEVK (Pro-Glu-Val-Lys) domain of the skeletal muscle isoform of the giant intrasarcomeric protein titin have been shown to bind F-actin. However, the mechanisms and physiological function of this are poorly understood. To test for actin binding along PEVK, we expressed contiguous N-terminal (PEVKI), middle (PEVKII), and C-terminal (PEVKIII) PEVK segments of the human soleus muscle isoform. We found a differential actin binding along PEVK in solid-state binding, cross-linking and in vitro motility assays. The order of apparent affinity is PEVKII>PEVKI>PEVKIII. To explore which sequence motifs convey the actin-binding property, we cloned and expressed PEVK fragments with different motif structure: PPAK, polyE-rich and pure polyE fragments. The polyE-containing fragments had a stronger apparent actin binding, suggesting that a local preponderance of polyE motifs conveys an enhanced local actin-binding property to PEVK. The actin binding of PEVK may serve as a viscous bumper mechanism that limits the velocity of unloaded muscle shortening towards short sarcomere lengths. Variations in the motif structure of PEVK might be a method of regulating the magnitude of the viscous drag.