Calcium-Driven Activation of Gelsolin: Mechanism and the Active-State Ensemble

Abstract

Gelsolin is a master regulator of the actin cytoskeleton whose activity is controlled by large Ca2+ dependent conformational transitions of its 6 domains (G1-G6). Despite decades of biochemical and cellular studies, the structural basis of activation of the full-length protein remains poorly understood because active gelsolin is highly dynamic and has largely escaped structural characterization. Here, we combine small-angle X-ray scattering, DEER-EPR spectroscopy, and structure-based molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the transition from the compact inactive state to the actin-binding active form. This integrative approach reveals that activation proceeds through a sequential and domain-dependent mechanism, where different regions of the protein respond to Ca2+ with distinct kinetics and conformational trajectories. Rather than converging toward a single active structure, activated gelsolin populates a heterogeneous ensemble of plastic conformations characterized by asymmetric domain arrangements and extensive structural variability. The two major domain triplets (G1-G3 and G4-G6) display markedly different dynamic behaviors, while actin-binding surfaces are exposed according to a defined hierarchy and remain differentially accessible within the active ensemble, suggesting specialized functional roles for different domains during filament engagement. Together, these findings provide a time- and domain-resolved view of gelsolin activation, establish a structural framework for interpreting its diverse biological functions, and offer new opportunities for targeting gelsolin-associated diseases.