Formins are actin-assembly factors that act in a variety of actin-based
processes. The conserved formin homology 2 (FH2) domain promotes filament
nucleation and influences elongation through interaction with the barbed end.
FMNL3 is a formin that induces assembly of filopodia but whose FH2 domain is a
poor nucleator. The 3.4-Å structure of a mouse FMNL3 FH2 dimer in complex with
tetramethylrhodamine-actin uncovers details of formin-regulated actin
elongation. We observe distinct FH2 actin-binding regions; interactions in the
knob and coiled-coil subdomains are necessary for actin binding, whereas those
in the lasso-post interface are important for the stepping mechanism.
Biochemical and cellular experiments test the importance of individual residues
for function. This structure provides details for FH2-mediated filament
elongation by processive capping and supports a model in which C-terminal
non-FH2 residues of FMNL3 are required to stabilize the filament nucleus.