Filament formation by metabolic enzymes—A new twist on regulation

• Published in: Current opinion in cell biology Vol. 66; pp. 28 - 33
• Main Authors: Lynch, Eric M., Kollman, Justin M., Webb, Bradley A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-10-2020
• Subjects: Allostery; Cryogenic electron microscopy; Cytoskeleton - metabolism; Enzyme regulation; Enzymes - chemistry; Enzymes - metabolism; Filament formation; Humans; Metabolic enzyme; Metabolism; Polymerization; Self-assembly; Allostery; Self-assembly; Enzyme regulation; Cryogenic electron microscopy; Filament formation; Metabolic enzyme
• ISSN: 0955-0674; 1879-0410
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2020.04.006

Compartmentalization of metabolic enzymes through protein–protein interactions is an emerging mechanism for localizing and regulating metabolic activity. Self-assembly into linear filaments is a common strategy for cellular compartmentalization of enzymes. Polymerization is often driven by changes in the metabolic state of the cell, suggesting that it is a strategy for shifting metabolic flux in response to cellular demand. Although polymerization of metabolic enzymes is widespread, observed from bacteria to humans, we are just beginning to appreciate their role in regulating cellular metabolism. In most cases, one functional role of metabolic enzyme filaments is allosteric control of enzyme activity. Here, we highlight recent findings, providing insight into the structural and functional significance of filamentation of metabolic enzymes in cells.