Once neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASL, N-WASP) is activated its VCA region becomes available for binding to actin-related protein (ARP2/3) complex and actin monomer. The actin monomer binds to the V-domain and ARP2/3 complex binds to the CA-domain. The simultaneous binding of G-actin and the ARP2/3 complex to the VCA region contributes to the activation of ARP2/3-complex-mediated actin polymerization (Takenawa & Suetsugu 2007). Actin polymerization via N-WASP and the ARP2/3 complex leads to spherical expansion of dendritic spine heads.
Miki, H, Takenawa, T, Ma, L, Kirschner, MW, Lopez, M, Kirchhausen, Tomas, Rohatgi, R
Kranitz, H, Lempert, L, Zalevsky, J, Mullins, RD
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