title: New mechanisms and functions of actin nucleation.
abstract: In cells the de novo nucleation of actin filaments from monomers requires actin-nucleating proteins. These fall into three main families--the Arp2/3 complex and its nucleation promoting factors (NPFs), formins, and tandem-monomer-binding nucleators. In this review, we highlight recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanism of actin nucleation by both well-characterized and newly identified nucleators, and explore current insights into their cellular functions in membrane trafficking, cell migration and division. The mechanisms and functions of actin nucleators are proving to be more complex than previously considered, with extensive cooperation and overlap in their cellular roles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
authors.forename: Elif Nur
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Firat-Karalar
authors.forename: Matthew D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Welch
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000199:Actins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D002465:Cell Movement; D002477:Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological
chemical_list: D000199:Actins