Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Role of WASp Family Proteins in
Cytoskeletal Reorganization and
Cell Motility
Tadaomi Takenawa
and
Shiro Suetsugu
WASp and WAVE family proteins act downstream of Cdc42 and Rac, to
induce formation of filopodia and lamellipodia, respectively. All WASp
family proteins have VCA (verprolin-like, cofilin-like and acidic region) at the
C-terminus. V region binds to monomer actin and CA region binds to Arp2/3
complex, resulting in actin polymerization at the leading edge of cells. This
WASp/WAVE-Arp2/3 complex-mediated actin polymerization is essential for
generating movement force. Thus, WASp family proteins play important roles
in phenomena accompanied with cell movement such as podosome formation
and epithelial tubulogenesis.
Introduction
Directed cell movement or chemotaxis is essential for a wide variety of cellular
functions, including wound healing, immunoactivity, angiogenesis, axon
guidance and embryonic development. Eukaryotic cells of diverse origins
share many common mechanisms for sensing and responding to chemo-
attractant gradients, which occurs in two steps: cell polarity formation and
leading edge formation. When cells encounter a chemoattractant gradient,
