New WAVEs in neuronal PI3K signalling.

EMBO J 30 23, 4739–4754 (2011); published online September 23 2011 The processes involved in the formation of the nervous system require the function of a multitude of proteins, which regulate a diverse array of cellular responses. The PI3K signalling pathway has emerged as being central to a number of steps that orchestrate the integrations of neurons into functional neuronal circuits. Consequently, the PI3K pathway is a key target in complex neurodevelopmental disorders thought to result from defects in developmental processes, such as autism, epilepsy and schizophrenia. In this issue of , Yamamoto and colleagues identify novel regulators of PI3K in neurons. In this work, NYAPs or ‘Neuronal tYrosine-phosphorylated Adaptor for the PI3K’ are demonstrated to link PI3K signalling to the WAVE1 complex.