WASFs
The WAVE gene family, which contains three members, has been shown to play a major role in the actin polymerization and cytoskeleton organization processes.
Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) and WASP-family verprolin-homologous protein (WAVE) family proteins are scaffolds that link upstream signals to the activation of the ARP2/3 complex, leading to a burst of actin polymerization.
ARP2/3-complex-mediated actin polymerization is crucial for the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton at the cell cortex for processes such as cell movement, vesicular trafficking and pathogen infection.
Large families of membrane-binding proteins interact with WASP and WAVE family proteins, therefore providing a new layer of membrane-dependent regulation of actin polymerization.
Members
| WASF1 | WASF2 | WASF3 |
Functions
The actin cytoskeleton plays critical roles in cell morphologic changes and motility. Rho family small GTPases, such as Rho (MIM.165370), RAC (MIM.602048), and CDC42 (MIM.116952), organize the actin cytoskeleton.
Other major players in actin-based motility are the 7 members of the ARP2/3 complex (MIM.604221). The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) (MIM.301000), WASP-like (WASL) (MIM.605056), and WASF1 are among the downstream effector molecules involved in the transmission of signals from tyrosine kinase receptors and small GTPases to the actin cytoskeleton.
See also
WASP-family members
Arp2/3
lamellipodia
References
Takenawa T, Suetsugu S. The WASP-WAVE protein network: connecting the membrane to the cytoskeleton. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2007 Jan;8(1):37-48. PMID: #17183359#
Stradal TE, Rottner K, Disanza A, Confalonieri S, Innocenti M, Scita G. Regulation of actin dynamics by WASP and WAVE family proteins. Trends Cell Biol. 2004 Jun;14(6):303-11. PMID: #15183187#