Ena/VASP proteins and the WAVE regulatory complex (WRC) regulate cell motility by virtue of their ability to independently promote actin polymerization. We demonstrate that Ena/VASP and the WRC control actin polymerization in a cooperative manner through the interaction of the Ena/VASP EVH1 domain with an extended proline rich motif in Abi. This interaction increases cell migration and enables VASP to cooperatively enhance WRC stimulation of Arp2/3 complex-mediated actin assembly in vitro in the presence of Rac. Loss of this interaction in Drosophila macrophages results in defects in lamellipodia formation, cell spreading, and redistribution of Ena to the tips of filopodia-like extensions. Rescue experiments of abi mutants also reveals a physiological requirement for the Abi:Ena interaction in photoreceptor axon targeting and oogenesis. Our data demonstrate that the activities of Ena/VASP and the WRC are intimately linked to ensure optimal control of actin polymerization during cell migration and development.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2014.08.001 | DOI Listing |
Methods Mol Biol
January 2025
Division of Hemostasis and Thrombosis, Department of Medicine, BIDMC, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
The actin cytoskeleton serves an important, but poorly characterized, role in controlling granule exocytosis. The dynamic nature of actin remodeling allows it to act both as a barrier to prevent indiscriminate granule release and as a facilitator of membrane fusion. In its capacity to promote exocytosis, filamentous actin binds to components of the exocytotic machinery through actin binding proteins, but also through direct interactions with SNAREs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStem cells adapt to their local mechanical environment by rearranging their cytoskeleton, which underpins the evolution of their shape and fate as well as the emergence of tissue structure and function. Here, in the second part of a two-part experimental series, we aimed to elucidate spatiotemporal cytoskeletal remodeling and resulting changes in morphology and mechanical properties of cells and their nuclei. Akin to mechanical testing of the most basic living and adapting unit of life, i.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStructure
January 2025
Molecular Microbiology, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK. Electronic address:
The core component of the actin cytoskeleton is the globular protein G-actin, which reversibly polymerizes into filaments (F-actin). Budding yeast possesses a single actin that shares 87%-89% sequence identity with vertebrate actin isoforms. Previous structural studies indicate very close overlap of main-chain backbones.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurr Biol
January 2025
Cytomorpholab, Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire and Végétale, Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, University of Grenoble-Alpes, CEA, CNRS, INRA, 17 avenue des Martyrs, 38054 Grenoble, France. Electronic address:
In cells, multiple actin networks coexist in a dynamic manner. These networks compete for a common pool of actin monomers and actin-binding proteins. Interestingly, all of these networks manage to coexist despite the strong competition for resources.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Wheat Improvement, College of Life Science, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China.
In many plants, the asymmetric division of the zygote sets up the apical-basal body axis. In the cress , the zygote coexpresses regulators of the apical and basal embryo lineages, the transcription factors WOX2 and WRKY2/WOX8, respectively. WRKY2/WOX8 activity promotes nuclear migration, cellular polarity, and mitotic asymmetry of the zygote, which are hallmarks of axis formation in many plant species.
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