Influence of the surface potential on the Michaelis constant of membrane-bound enzymes: effect of membrane solubilization

We have purified from a membrane fraction of bovine brain a calmodulin-binding protein (calspectin) that shares a number of properties with erythrocyte spectrin: It has a heterodimeric structure with M_r 240 000 and 235 000 and binds to (dimeric form) or crosslinks (tetrameric form) F-actin. We show that calspectin (tetramer) is capable of inducing the polymerization of G-actin to actin filaments by increasing nucleation under conditions where actin alone polymerizes at a much slower rate. Thus, brain calspectin behaves in the same manner as erythrocyte spectrin, supporting the idea that, in conjunction with actin oligomers it comprises the cytoskeletal meshwork underlying the cytoplasmic surface of the nerve cell.