Display Settings:

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination

    Mol Cell. 2003 May;11(5):1229-39.

    Phosphorylation of the WASP-VCA domain increases its affinity for the Arp2/3 complex and enhances actin polymerization by WASP.

    Cory GO, Cramer R, Blanchoin L, Ridley AJ.

    Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Royal Free and University College Medical School Branch, Courtauld Building, 91 Riding House Street, London W1W 7BS, United Kingdom.

    Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) and neural (N)-WASP regulate dynamic actin structures through the ability of their VCA domains to bind to and stimulate the actin nucleating activity of the Arp2/3 complex. Here we identify two phosphorylation sites in the VCA domain of WASP at serines 483 and 484. S483 and S484 are substrates for casein kinase 2 in vitro and in vivo. Phosphorylation of these residues increases the affinity of the VCA domain for the Arp2/3 complex 7-fold and is required for efficient in vitro actin polymerization by the full-length WASP molecule. We propose that constitutive VCA domain phosphorylation is required for optimal stimulation of the Arp2/3 complex by WASP.

    PMID: 12769847 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

    Supplemental Content

    Click here to read