Regulation of WASP: PIP2 Pipped by Toca-1?

Cell. 2004 Jul 23;118(2):140-1. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2004.07.005.

Abstract

Cdc42 is a key regulator of cell polarity and actin dynamics. One of its effectors, WASP, initiates the assembly of new actin filaments. In this issue of Cell, show that a previously unknown regulator named Toca-1 is required for Cdc42 to activate WASP. This discovery changes our picture of how small GTPases and multiple other signals converge to stimulate actin polymerization and cell motility.

Publication types

  • Comment
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Actins / biosynthesis*
  • Animals
  • Cell Movement / physiology*
  • Cell Polarity / physiology
  • Humans
  • Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Diphosphate / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding / physiology
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary / physiology
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • Actins
  • Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Diphosphate
  • Proteins
  • WAS protein, human
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein