title: New insights into the regulation and cellular functions of the ARP2/3 complex.
abstract: The actin-related protein 2/3 (ARP2/3) complex nucleates branched actin filament networks, but requires nucleation promoting factors (NPFs) to stimulate this activity. NPFs include proteins such as Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP), neural WASP (NWASP), WASP family verprolin-homologous protein (WAVE; also known as SCAR) and the recently identified WASP and SCAR homologue (WASH) complex. The mechanisms underlying NPF-dependent regulation and the cellular functions of ARP2/3 are being unravelled using new chemical and genetic approaches. Of particular interest is the role of the ARP2/3 complex in vesicular trafficking and directional cell motility.
authors.affiliation: UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA.
authors.forename: Jeremy D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Rotty
authors.forename: Congying
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Bear
mesh_terms: D051376:Actin-Related Protein 2-3 Complex / Q000378:metabolism*; D002465:Cell Movement; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D021381:Protein Transport; D051316:Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D051300:Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Family / Q000378:metabolism*; D051317:Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein, Neuronal / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D051376:Actin-Related Protein 2-3 Complex; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; C114864:WASF1 protein, human; C549919:WASH protein, human; D051316:Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein; D051300:Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Family; D051317:Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein, Neuronal