title: The WASP-Arp2/3 pathway: genetic insights.
abstract: Arp2/3 complex nucleates the formation of dendritic actin filament arrays, which are especially prominent at the leading edges of motile cells. Recent genetic and other loss-of-function studies have highlighted the importance of the Arp2/3 complex for normal cell functions, and especially for cell motility. WASP/Scar family proteins regulate the activity of the Arp2/3 complex, and also link it to several signaling pathways. Recent studies suggest that Scar is a more important regulator of Arp2/3 activity in actin-dependent morphological processes than WASP, which may have a more restricted role in specialized cellular events. It has also become clear that precise regulation of both Scar and WASP activity is of the utmost importance for their physiological functions.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research UK, London Research Institute, Lincoln's Inn Fields Laboratories, Transcription Laboratory, London, WC2A 3PX, UK.
authors.forename: Maria K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Vartiainen
authors.forename: Laura M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Machesky
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D051377:Actin-Related Protein 2; D051378:Actin-Related Protein 3; D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000235:genetics*; D022081:Cell Surface Extensions / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051316:Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein
chemical_list: D051377:Actin-Related Protein 2; D051378:Actin-Related Protein 3; D000199:Actins; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; C449671:SCAR protein, Drosophila; C477859:WASp protein, Drosophila; D051316:Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein; C476569:arx-1 protein, C elegans; C476568:arx-2 protein, C elegans