Structural analysis of septin 2, 6, and 7 complexes

Mammalian septins comprise a family of 13 genes that encode GTP-binding proteins. Specific combinations of septins can hetero-oligomerize and form filaments in vivo and in vitro, by mechanisms that are not understood. Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer, size exclusion chromatography, and multi-angle light scattering techniques, we have characterized the conformation of a complex of filamentous human septins, Sept2, Sept6, and Sept7. We now show that Sept6 and Sept7 interact through a parallel coiled-coil, and that Sept2 interacts with Sept6 through their C-terminal domains. We have also been able to produce soluble, stable individual septins that behave as rod-like monomers and dimers. Taken together, these observations suggest that polymerized filaments could be comprised of laterally arranged septin core subunits.