Weak Motifs, Strong Complex: KANK1 Uses Cooperative Multivalency with the Hub-Protein LC8 to Bridge Cytoskeletal Complexes

KANK1 is a cytoskeletal regulator localized to the cortex of the cell, where it binds to both focal adhesions, which regulate the actin cytoskeleton, and cortical microtubule stabilizing complexes. The protein LC8 is a small dimeric protein that acts as a dimerization hub for many clients through binding at a short linear motif. Many LC8 clients bind the protein multivalently, through repetition of the LC8-binding linear motif. While the exact function of each multivalent LC8 client is unique, these interactions are thought to play a structural role, rigidifying a disordered region of the client protein. Here, we present work that demonstrates that despite containing only weak LC8 binding motifs, KANK1 binds multivalently to LC8, driving LC8’s localization to the cell cortex. Due to the weakness and non-canonical character of the LC8 binding sites on KANK1, experiments illustrated that prediction with our algorithm LC8Pred is insufficient to find all sites. AlphaFold was used to complement LC8Pred and locate the remaining binding sites. KANK1-LC8 binding is highly cooperative, with an overall binding affinity at least two orders of magnitude greater than the affinity of each individual LC8-binding motif. This cooperativity results in a complex that favors a homogenous, fully bound state. Multivalent AlphaFold predictions suggest assembly as a kinked-rod-like structure. We believe this cooperative complex serves a structural role, with the cooperativity building a rod, elongating a large disordered linker and enabling it to reach across the gap between the cell membrane and the ends of microtubules.