Dynamic reorganization of cytoskeletion by WASP family proteins

众所周知，各种细胞对各种刺激作出反应，重新排列细胞骨架，为细胞分裂做准备，并刺激运动和迁移。细胞的定向迁移是生命的基本现象之一，包括向炎症部位的迁移以及癌细胞的侵袭和转移，我们发现了与细胞骨架重组和细胞迁移相关的WASP和WAVE蛋白。所有这些蛋白在C末端都有VCA区，其中V区与肌动蛋白结合，CA区与Arp2/3复合体结合。因此，这些蛋白质使肌动蛋白细丝成核，并促进肌动蛋白聚合。另一方面，在N-末端区域，有调控分子结合的区域。N-WASP与WIP、WISH、CDC42和PIP2等分子结合，WAVE与IRSP53结合，随后暴露这些蛋白的VCA区。因此，这些蛋白质结合到Arp2/3复合体上，并聚合肌动蛋白细丝。最后，位于Cdc42下游的N-WASP诱导丝状足的形成。位于RAC下游的波会诱导片状脂膜的形成。这些蛋白质存在于移动细胞的前沿，并产生驱动力。

It is already well known that a variety of cells rearrange cytoskeleton, prepare for cell division, and stimulate motility and migration in response to various stimuli. The directed migration of cells is one of fundamental phenomena of life, including migration toward inflammatory sites, and invasion and metastasis of cancer cells.We found WASP and WAVE proteins which are related to cytoskeleton reorganization and cell migration. All these proteins have VCA regions at C-terminal area in which V region binds actin and CA region binds Arp2/3 complex. As a result, these proteins nucleate actin filaments and enhance actin polymerization. On the other hand, at N-terminal area, there are regions to which regulatory molecules bind. N-WASP binds several molecules such as WIP, WISH, Cdc42 and PIP2, and WAVE binds IRSp53, followed by the exposure of VCA region of these proteins. Consequently, these proteins bind to Arp2/3 complex and polymerize actin filaments. Finally, N-WASP which is located downstream of Cdc42 induces filopodia formation. WAVE which is located downstream of Rac induces lamellipodia formation. These proteins are present at the leading edge of moving cells and generate driving force.