title: Regulation of spine density and morphology by IQGAP1 protein domains.
abstract: IQGAP1 is a scaffolding protein that regulates spine number. We now show a differential role for IQGAP1 domains in spine morphogenesis, in which a region of the N-terminus that promotes Arp2/3-mediated actin polymerization and branching stimulates spine head formation while a region that binds to Cdc42 and Rac is required for stalk extension. Conversely, IQGAP1 rescues spine deficiency induced by expression of dominant negative Cdc42 by stimulating formation of stubby spines. Together, our observations place IQGAP1 as a crucial regulator of spine number and shape acting through the N-Wasp Arp2/3 complex, as well as upstream and downstream of Cdc42.
authors: Laboratory of Neurobiology, Instituto Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC-CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina.
authors: Ignacio
authors: I
authors: Jausoro
authors: Ivan
authors: I
authors: Mestres
authors: Gonzalo
authors: G
authors: Quassollo
authors: Lujan
authors: L
authors: Masseroni
authors: Florencia
authors: F
authors: Heredia
authors: Alfredo
authors: A
authors: Caceres
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049229:Dendritic Spines / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology; D009154:Mutation; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D054730:Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs; D051381:Rats; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000378:metabolism; D020703:ras GTPase-Activating Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D020703:ras GTPase-Activating Proteins; C101203:IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein 1