Coronin 2A (Coro2a), also known as CORO2A, is a member of the coronin family of actin-binding proteins . In humans, the CORO2A gene encodes this protein . Coro2a contains an N-terminal β-propeller region with seven WD40 repeats, a unique region, and a C-terminal coiled-coil region . It is involved in various cellular processes, including cell cycle progression, signal transduction, apoptosis, and gene regulation .
| Aliases |
|---|
| CORO2A |
| CLIPINB |
| IR10 |
| WDR2 |
| coronin 2A |
The CORO2A gene is located on chromosome 9 in humans . It encodes a protein with WD repeats, which are approximately 40 amino acids long and are typically bracketed by gly-his and trp-asp (GH-WD) . These repeats facilitate the formation of heterotrimeric or multiprotein complexes . Alternative splicing of this gene results in two transcript variants .
Coro2a is an actin-binding protein that regulates cell motility . It plays a role in actin regulation and related events such as focal adhesion turnover and cell migration, in coordination with cofilin .
Actin Organization: CORO2A depletion significantly impacts actin organization beneath the plasma membrane, leading to exacerbated actin-rich cell protrusions resembling lamellipodia .
Endocytosis: CORO2A is involved in the internalization of clathrin-dependent cargo, such as transferrin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, and is required for the recycling of clathrin-independent cargo .
Inflammation: CORO2A mediates actin-dependent de-repression of inflammatory response genes and functions as an N-CoR exchange factor required for the de-repression of TLR target genes in macrophages .
CORO2A is expressed in various tissues, including the brain, lungs, and hematopoietic lineage cells . It is overexpressed in malignant breast tissues compared to normal breast tissues .
| Tissue |
|---|
| Hippocampal formation |
| Amygdala |
| Basal ganglia |
| Midbrain |
| Spinal cord |
| Cerebral cortex |
| Cerebellum |
| Hypothalamus |
| Choroid plexus |
| Retina |
Abnormal CORO2A expression is associated with carcinogenesis . It facilitates migration and invasion abilities in oral squamous cell carcinoma .
CORO2A interacts with EHD1 on endocytic structures and coordinates endosomal fission and recycling with EHD1 . This interaction is mediated by an asparagine-proline-phenylalanine-aspartic acid-aspartic acid (NPFDD) sequence motif in CORO2A that binds to EHD1 .
CORO2A expression is regulated by microRNAs, such as miR-125b-5p and miR-140-5p, in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells .
CORO2A is a member of the "short" coronin subfamily, containing a single WD40-repeat domain . Other coronin family members, like coronin 2B, regulate dendrite outgrowth by modulating actin dynamics at growth cones .
Research on CORO2A involves various techniques, including:
siRNA knockdown: Used to study the effects of CORO2A depletion on actin organization and endocytosis .
Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay: Used to confirm Coro2A/NCoR interactions in primary macrophages .
Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) studies: Used to demonstrate that Coro2A is localized to NCoR target promoters .
TCGA and GEO database analysis: Used to analyze CORO2A expression and gene regulation networks in breast cancer .
Mouse Coronin-2A (Coro2a) is a type-II coronin protein characterized by a distinct structural organization. The protein contains an N-terminal β-propeller region with seven WD40 repeats, a unique region (U region), and a C-terminal coiled-coil region (CC) . The WD40 repeats form a β-propeller structure that serves as a platform for protein-protein interactions, particularly with actin filaments. The unique region provides specificity for particular binding partners, while the coiled-coil domain mediates dimerization and interactions with other proteins. This structural arrangement enables Coro2a to function as a versatile regulator of actin dynamics and other cellular processes.
Coronin-2A demonstrates multiple distinct subcellular localizations that reflect its diverse functions. It primarily localizes to actin stress fibers, with approximately 80% overlap with Phalloidin-labeled actin structures . This localization is specific, as treatment with cytochalasin D (an actin polymerization inhibitor) disrupts this pattern . Coro2a also partially localizes to focal adhesions, particularly in the internal regions of cells . Additionally, it partially overlaps with EHD1 on endosomal structures, reflecting its role in endosomal trafficking and fission processes . Coronin-2A is also found diffusely in the cytoplasm . For visualization studies, researchers have successfully used FLAG-tagged and GFP-tagged Coro2a constructs to observe these localization patterns in live cells .
Coronin-2A functions as a negative regulator of actin branching, similar to other coronin family members. Depletion of Coro2a results in dramatically expanded actin-rich protrusions at the plasma membrane, with quantitative analysis showing that these protrusions increase both in size and frequency following Coro2a knockdown . This phenotype suggests that Coro2a normally attenuates actin branching, potentially by disassembling Arp2/3-containing branched actin filaments .
The regulation of actin dynamics by Coro2a involves coordination with other actin-regulatory proteins. Research has revealed a functional relationship between Coro2a and the Slingshot-cofilin pathway, where increased Slingshot activity can partially compensate for Coro2a depletion . This interaction network creates a sophisticated regulatory system for controlling actin filament organization and turnover, which has important implications for processes like cell migration and adhesion dynamics.
Coro2a plays a critical role in regulating focal adhesion dynamics, particularly affecting their disassembly. Studies show that depletion of Coronin-2A increases focal adhesion size while decreasing the total number of focal adhesions per cell . The most significant effect occurs during focal adhesion disassembly, where the rate decreased by approximately half in Coro2a-depleted cells, while assembly rates remained unaffected .
The table below summarizes the effects of Coro2a depletion on focal adhesion dynamics:
| Parameter | Effect of Coro2a Depletion |
|---|---|
| Focal adhesion size | Increased |
| Number of focal adhesions | Decreased |
| Assembly rate | No significant change |
| Disassembly rate | Decreased by ~50% |
| Cell motility | Substantially reduced |
Several functional domains in Coronin-2A mediate its interactions with binding partners. The most notable is the NPFDD sequence motif (asparagine-proline-phenylalanine-aspartic acid-aspartic acid) that preferentially binds to EHD1, connecting Coro2a to the endosomal fission machinery . This interaction provides a molecular link between actin dynamics and membrane trafficking processes.
The WD40 repeats in the N-terminal β-propeller region facilitate interactions with actin filaments and possibly other cytoskeletal proteins . The C-terminal coiled-coil domain is involved in protein oligomerization and interactions with components of the nuclear receptor corepressor complex, where Coro2a serves as a key component essential for recruiting histone deacetylases to form repressive chromatin structures .
For detecting and analyzing mouse Coronin-2A, researchers can employ several validated approaches:
Antibody-based detection: Coronin 2A Antibody (H-2) from Santa Cruz Biotechnology (sc-376194) has been validated for detecting Coro2a from mouse, rat, and human origins through multiple applications including western blotting, immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry with paraffin-embedded sections, and ELISA .
Expression constructs: Both FLAG-tagged and GFP-tagged Coro2a constructs have been successfully used for localization studies . When designing these constructs, consider that human and mouse Coro2a show high conservation, allowing human constructs to be used for rescue experiments in mouse cells.
Localization studies: For visualizing Coro2a localization, co-staining with Phalloidin effectively demonstrates its association with actin filaments . Treatment with cytochalasin D can serve as a control to disrupt actin structures and confirm specificity of localization.
Protein interaction analysis: Co-immunoprecipitation approaches can identify binding partners, particularly focusing on interactions with EHD1 through the NPFDD motif and components of actin-regulatory pathways .
When analyzing Coro2a in experimental systems, it's crucial to include appropriate controls and consider potential tissue or cell-type specific variations in expression and function.
Multiple validated approaches for depleting Coronin-2A have been described in the literature:
siRNA knockdown: This approach has been successfully used to reduce Coro2a expression, with validation by immunoblotting . When designing siRNA experiments, include non-targeting controls and validate knockdown efficiency through both protein and mRNA quantification.
shRNA via lentiviral delivery: Developing a shRNA against Coro2a delivered by lentivirus provides a more stable knockdown . This approach should include:
When evaluating Coro2a knockdown effects, it's important to consider the following experimental design elements:
Use multiple independent siRNA/shRNA sequences to confirm specificity
Include appropriate controls for each assay
Document phenotypes through quantitative measurements
Consider potential compensatory mechanisms by related proteins
The rescue experiments are particularly crucial to confirm that observed phenotypes are specifically due to Coro2a depletion rather than off-target effects .
To investigate Coro2a's role in cell migration, several complementary approaches have been validated:
For all migration assays, it's important to optimize conditions for your specific cell type and include appropriate controls, including both negative controls and rescue experiments to confirm specificity.
Designing experiments to investigate Coro2a's role in endosomal trafficking requires multiple complementary approaches:
Cargo trafficking assays:
Endosomal morphology analysis:
Protein interaction studies:
The research has established that Coro2a depletion causes different effects on distinct cargo types, with marked decrease in internalization of clathrin-dependent cargo but little impact on clathrin-independent cargo uptake . These differential effects highlight the importance of examining multiple cargo types in your experimental design.
When investigating Coro2a's function in cytoskeletal organization, include the following essential controls:
Knockdown validation controls:
Actin organization controls:
Quantification controls:
Cell-type controls:
Functional assay controls:
These comprehensive controls ensure that observed phenotypes are specifically attributable to Coro2a function and provide a foundation for accurate interpretation of experimental results.
The NPFDD sequence motif in Coronin-2A represents a specialized binding domain that mediates a critical interaction with EHD1, a key component of the endosomal fission machinery . This motif consists of asparagine-proline-phenylalanine-aspartic acid-aspartic acid residues that create a specific recognition site for EH domains present in EHD1.
The molecular basis of this interaction involves the NPF portion of the motif, which is a known binding sequence for EH domains. The additional DD (aspartic acid-aspartic acid) residues provide additional specificity for EHD1 binding . This interaction facilitates the partial overlap of Coro2a with EHD1 on endosomal structures and establishes a functional connection between actin regulation and endosomal fission processes.
For researchers investigating this interaction, approaches include:
Mutational analysis of the NPFDD motif to determine essential residues
In vitro binding assays to characterize interaction affinity and specificity
Structural studies of the EHD1-Coro2a complex
Functional assays to determine how disruption of this interaction affects endosomal fission and recycling
This interaction represents a molecular bridge connecting the actin cytoskeleton to membrane trafficking machinery, highlighting one mechanism by which Coro2a coordinates diverse cellular processes .
Research has revealed a sophisticated functional relationship between Coronin-2A and the Slingshot-cofilin pathway in regulating actin dynamics and focal adhesion turnover. The evidence indicates that increased Slingshot activity can partially compensate for depletion of coronin 2A .
Mechanistically, this relationship involves several components:
Slingshot-1L (SSH1L) is a phosphatase that activates cofilin by dephosphorylation
Cofilin promotes actin filament disassembly and turnover
Coronin-2A appears to work in concert with this pathway to regulate focal adhesion disassembly
Experimental evidence shows that expression of a constitutively active Slingshot-1L mutant (SSH1L-2SA) partially rescued the focal adhesion disassembly defect in coronin-2A-depleted cells . The rate of disassembly was lower than with the expression of the mutant alone, but higher than with depletion of coronin 2A in the presence of wild-type Slingshot-1L.
These findings suggest a model where:
Coronin-2A may regulate Slingshot-1L localization or activity
It may enhance cofilin recruitment to specific actin structures
Coronin-2A could protect certain actin structures while promoting turnover of others
This relationship explains how Coronin-2A coordinates with other actin-regulatory proteins to control cytoskeletal dynamics and cellular processes dependent on actin remodeling, particularly focal adhesion turnover during cell migration .
Coronin-2A plays a critical role in endosomal fission and recycling pathways through its interaction with the endosomal trafficking machinery. Research has identified specific mechanisms by which Coro2a influences these processes:
EHD1 interaction: Coro2a contains an NPFDD sequence motif that preferentially binds to EHD1, a key component of the endosomal fission machinery . This interaction creates a molecular link between actin dynamics and membrane trafficking processes.
Cargo-specific effects: Coro2a depletion causes differential effects on distinct cargo types:
Endosomal morphology regulation: Coro2a depletion leads to enlarged endosomes, suggesting a direct role in the fission of endosomal vesicles . This enlargement likely results from impaired formation of transport vesicles from endosomal compartments.
Actin-endosome coordination: Coro2a appears to coordinate actin-based endosomal processes with the EHD1 fission machinery, suggesting that actin dynamics play a role in endosomal vesicle formation and trafficking .
These findings establish Coro2a as a multifunctional protein that connects cytoskeletal regulation with membrane trafficking pathways. This coordination is essential for proper recycling of lipids and receptors to the plasma membrane, a process critical for maintaining cellular homeostasis .
To effectively study Coronin-2A's role in regulating actin branching, researchers should employ multiple complementary methodologies:
Visualization and quantification of actin structures:
Molecular manipulation approaches:
siRNA or shRNA knockdown of Coro2a with appropriate controls
Rescue experiments with wild-type and mutant Coro2a constructs
CRISPR-Cas9 knockout for complete elimination of the protein
Expression of domain-specific mutants to dissect functional regions
Dynamic analysis techniques:
Live-cell imaging with fluorescently tagged actin and Coro2a
FRAP (Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching) to measure actin turnover rates
Photoactivatable or photoconvertible actin to track specific populations
Biochemical assays:
In vitro actin polymerization assays
Actin binding and bundling assays
Analysis of Arp2/3 complex activity in the presence/absence of Coro2a
The research has established that Coro2a depletion leads to dramatically expanded actin-rich protrusions, supporting its role in attenuating actin branching . These expanded protrusions increase both in size and frequency following Coro2a knockdown, similar to effects seen with other Coronin family proteins that disassemble Arp2/3-containing branched actin filaments.
Quantitative analysis using automated approaches is particularly valuable, as demonstrated by the application of 3D filament reconstruction tools that identify actin-rich protrusions as dendrite beginning points and calculate their frequency and mean diameter in an unbiased manner .
Coronin-2A may function as a molecular bridge between cytoskeletal dynamics and nuclear receptor signaling pathways. Research indicates that Coro2a serves as a key component of the nuclear receptor corepressor complex, which is essential for recruiting histone deacetylases to form repressive chromatin structures .
This dual functionality suggests several potential mechanisms:
Cytoskeletal-nuclear signaling integration:
Coro2a may shuttle between cytoskeletal structures and nuclear complexes
Cytoskeletal changes could regulate Coro2a availability for nuclear functions
Coro2a might relay mechanical signals from the cytoskeleton to transcriptional machinery
Coordinated regulation of gene expression and cell behavior:
Changes in cell adhesion or migration could be linked to specific transcriptional responses
Stress fibers, where Coro2a localizes, may function as mechanosensory structures
Nuclear receptor signaling might influence cytoskeletal organization through Coro2a
Functional implications in development and disease:
This dual role could be crucial during developmental processes requiring coordination of cell movement and differentiation
Disruption of this link might contribute to diseases involving both cytoskeletal and transcriptional dysregulation
Cancer progression could be influenced by alterations in this cytoskeletal-nuclear connection
While direct experimental evidence for this link requires further investigation, Coro2a's presence in both actin-based structures and nuclear receptor complexes positions it as a potential integrator of physical and biochemical cellular processes . Future research using approaches like chromatin immunoprecipitation, nuclear/cytoplasmic fractionation, and targeted mutagenesis will help elucidate the functional significance of this dual localization.
Several cell types and experimental models have proven effective for studying different aspects of Coronin-2A function:
Established cell lines:
Primary cells:
Mouse embryonic fibroblasts: Useful for studying fundamental cytoskeletal functions
Immune cells: Potential models for investigating roles similar to other coronin family members
Neurons: Could reveal functions in specialized cell types with complex morphologies
In vivo models:
Conditional knockout mice: Allow tissue-specific deletion of Coro2a
Transgenic models expressing tagged Coro2a: Enable in vivo tracking and localization
Developmental models: Could reveal roles in morphogenesis and tissue organization
Disease models:
The choice of model system should be guided by the specific aspect of Coro2a function being investigated. For cytoskeletal studies, cells with well-developed actin networks like U251 are valuable , while trafficking studies benefit from cells with active endocytic pathways.
Coronin-2A belongs to the type-II subfamily of coronin proteins and shows both similarities and distinct differences from other family members:
While both Coro2a and Type I coronins like Coronin-1B appear to attenuate actin branching, Coro2a has several unique functions:
Its interaction with EHD1 through the NPFDD motif links it specifically to endosomal fission
It serves as a component of the nuclear receptor corepressor complex
It specifically regulates internal focal adhesion disassembly rather than peripheral adhesions
These distinctive properties suggest that despite structural similarities among coronin family members, they have evolved specialized functions in different cellular contexts.
Several technological advances would significantly enhance our understanding of Coronin-2A function:
Advanced imaging techniques:
Super-resolution microscopy (STORM, PALM, STED) to visualize Coro2a interactions with actin and endosomes at nanoscale resolution
Lattice light-sheet microscopy for long-term 3D imaging of Coro2a dynamics in living cells
Correlative light and electron microscopy to connect fluorescence localization with ultrastructural context
Protein interaction technologies:
BioID or APEX proximity labeling to identify the complete Coro2a interactome
Single-molecule tracking to measure binding kinetics in living cells
FRET-based biosensors to detect conformational changes or activation states
Genome editing approaches:
CRISPR-Cas9 knock-in of fluorescent tags at endogenous loci
Domain-specific mutations at endogenous loci
Tissue-specific conditional knockout models
Multi-omics integration:
Proteomics to identify Coro2a post-translational modifications
Transcriptomics to analyze effects on nuclear receptor target genes
Systems biology approaches to integrate multiple data types
Structural biology techniques:
Cryo-EM structures of Coro2a-actin complexes
X-ray crystallography of the NPFDD motif interaction with EHD1
NMR studies of dynamic interactions and conformational changes
These technological advances would provide deeper insights into how Coro2a coordinates its diverse functions in actin regulation, focal adhesion turnover, endosomal trafficking, and potential nuclear roles.
While the search results don't directly address disease associations, Coronin-2A's functions suggest several potential implications in disease processes:
Cancer progression and metastasis:
Trafficking-related disorders:
Developmental disorders:
If Coro2a coordinates cell migration with gene expression, its dysfunction could affect:
Tissue morphogenesis during development
Neural migration and connectivity
Organogenesis requiring coordinated cell movements
Immune system dysfunction:
Given roles of other coronin family members in immune cells:
Coro2a might affect immune cell trafficking or function
Could influence inflammatory responses
Might play roles in immune surveillance
Research approaches to investigate these potential disease connections include:
Analysis of Coro2a expression in disease tissues
Correlation studies between Coro2a levels and disease progression
Functional studies in disease-relevant cell types
Development of animal models with tissue-specific Coro2a alterations
Understanding these disease implications could open new avenues for diagnostic and therapeutic strategies targeting Coro2a-related pathways.
Several critical research questions would significantly advance our understanding of Coronin-2A biology:
Mechanistic integration of diverse functions:
How does Coro2a coordinate its roles in actin regulation, focal adhesion turnover, and endosomal trafficking?
Are these functions regulated independently or interconnected through shared mechanisms?
Does Coro2a function as part of distinct protein complexes in different cellular contexts?
Temporal and spatial regulation:
How is Coro2a activity regulated in time and space during dynamic cellular processes?
What post-translational modifications control its various functions?
How do cellular signals modulate its localization and interactions?
Transcriptional regulation role:
Evolutionary conservation and specialization:
How have Coro2a functions evolved across species?
What unique properties distinguish it from other coronin family members?
Are there tissue-specific isoforms with specialized functions?
Disease relevance:
How does Coro2a expression or function change in disease states?
Could targeting Coro2a-dependent pathways offer therapeutic opportunities?
Are there disease-associated mutations that affect Coro2a function?
Addressing these questions will require integrative approaches combining structural biology, advanced microscopy, proteomics, gene editing, and systems biology. The answers will provide a comprehensive understanding of how this multifunctional protein coordinates diverse cellular processes and may reveal new therapeutic targets for diseases involving cytoskeletal dysregulation or trafficking defects.
For researchers entering the field of Coronin-2A biology, several key concepts provide an essential foundation:
Multifunctional protein: Coro2a is not simply an actin-binding protein but a multifunctional regulator involved in actin dynamics, focal adhesion turnover, endosomal trafficking, and potentially nuclear receptor signaling .
Structural organization: As a type-II coronin, Coro2a contains an N-terminal β-propeller with WD40 repeats, a unique region, and a C-terminal coiled-coil domain that mediate its diverse interactions .
Subcellular localization: Coro2a localizes predominantly to actin stress fibers (80% overlap with F-actin), with additional localization to focal adhesions and endosomal structures .
Functional impacts: Depletion studies reveal that Coro2a:
Molecular interactions: Key interactions include binding to actin filaments, the endosomal protein EHD1 (via the NPFDD motif), and components of the nuclear receptor corepressor complex .
Experimental approaches: Effective study of Coro2a involves:
These fundamental aspects provide a starting point for designing experiments and interpreting results when investigating this complex protein in cellular systems.
Based on the published research, the following methodological recommendations would benefit researchers studying Coronin-2A:
Protein detection and visualization:
Gene silencing approaches:
Cell motility studies:
Cytoskeletal analysis:
Endosomal trafficking analysis:
Controls and validation:
Include wild-type cells, mock-transfected cells, and non-targeting controls
Perform rescue experiments to confirm phenotype specificity
Use multiple cell types to verify consistency of findings
These methodological approaches will help ensure robust and reproducible results when investigating the diverse functions of Coronin-2A in cellular systems.