title: Ins and outs of ADF/cofilin activity and regulation.
abstract: The actin-binding proteins of the actin-depolymerisation factor (ADF)/cofilin family were first described more than three decades ago, but research on these proteins still occupies a front role in the actin and cell migration field. Moreover, cofilin activity is implicated in the malignant, invasive properties of cancer cells. The effects of ADF/cofilins on actin dynamics are diverse and their regulation is complex. In stimulated cells, multiple signalling pathways can be initiated resulting in different activation/deactivation switches that control ADF/cofilin activity. The output of this entire regulatory system, in combination with spatial and temporal segregation of the activation mechanisms, underlies the contribution of ADF/cofilins to various cell migration/invasion phenotypes. In this framework, we describe current views on how ADF/cofilins function in migrating and invading cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Protein Research, VIB, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. lee.vantroys@ugent.be
authors.forename: Marleen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Troys
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huyck
authors.forename: Shirley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leyman
authors.forename: Stien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dhaese
authors.forename: Joël
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vandekerkhove
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ampe
mesh_terms: D051339:Actin Depolymerizing Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D051339:Actin Depolymerizing Factors; D000199:Actins; D020033:Protein Isoforms