Critical role of Ena/VASP proteins for filopodia formation in neurons and in function downstream of netrin-1

TY - JOUR

T1 - Critical role of Ena/VASP proteins for filopodia formation in neurons and in function downstream of netrin-1

AU - Lebrand, C

AU - Dent, E W

AU - Strasser, G A

AU - Lanier, L M

AU - Krause, M

AU - Svitkina, T M

AU - Borisy, G G

AU - Gertler, F B

PY - 2004/4/8

Y1 - 2004/4/8

N2 - Ena/VASP proteins play important roles in axon outgrowth and guidance. Ena/VASP activity regulates the assembly and geometry of actin networks within fibroblast lamellipodia. In growth cones, Ena/VASP proteins are concentrated at filopodia tips, yet their role in growth cone responses to guidance signals has not been established. We found that Ena/VASP proteins play a pivotal role in formation and elongation of filopodia along neurite shafts and growth cone. Netrin-1-induced filopodia formation was dependent upon Ena/VASP function and directly correlated with Ena/VASP phosphorylation at a regulatory PKA site. Accordingly, Ena/VASP function was required for filopodial formation from the growth cone in response to global PKA activation. We propose that Ena/VASP proteins control filopodial dynamics in neurons by remodeling the actin network in response to guidance cues.

AB - Ena/VASP proteins play important roles in axon outgrowth and guidance. Ena/VASP activity regulates the assembly and geometry of actin networks within fibroblast lamellipodia. In growth cones, Ena/VASP proteins are concentrated at filopodia tips, yet their role in growth cone responses to guidance signals has not been established. We found that Ena/VASP proteins play a pivotal role in formation and elongation of filopodia along neurite shafts and growth cone. Netrin-1-induced filopodia formation was dependent upon Ena/VASP function and directly correlated with Ena/VASP phosphorylation at a regulatory PKA site. Accordingly, Ena/VASP function was required for filopodial formation from the growth cone in response to global PKA activation. We propose that Ena/VASP proteins control filopodial dynamics in neurons by remodeling the actin network in response to guidance cues.

U2 - 10.1016/S0896-6273(04)00108-4

DO - 10.1016/S0896-6273(04)00108-4

M3 - Article

VL - 42

SP - 37

EP - 49

JO - Neuron

JF - Neuron

IS - 1

ER -