HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

WAVE/SCAR, a multifunctional complex coordinating different aspects of neuronal connectivity.

Abstract
Although it is well established that the WAVE/SCAR complex transduces Rac1 signaling to trigger Arp2/3-dependent actin nucleation, regulatory mechanisms of this complex and its versatile function in the nervous system are poorly understood. Here we show that the Drosophila proteins SCAR, CYFIP and Kette, orthologs of WAVE/SCAR complex components, all show strong accumulation in axons of the central nervous system and indeed form a complex in vivo. Neuronal defects of SCAR, CYFIP and Kette mutants are, despite the initially proposed function of CYFIP and Kette as SCAR silencers, indistinguishable and are as diverse as ectopic midline crossing and nerve branching as well as synapse undergrowth at the larval neuromuscular junction. The common phenotypes of the single mutants are readily explained by the finding that loss of any one of the three proteins leads to degradation of its partners. As a consequence, each mutant is unambiguously to be judged as defective in multiple components of the complex even though each component affects different signaling pathways. Indeed, SCAR-Arp2/3 signaling is known to control axonogenesis whereas CYFIP signaling to the Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein fly ortholog contributes to synapse morphology. Thus, our results identify the Drosophila WAVE/SCAR complex as a multifunctional unit orchestrating different pathways and aspects of neuronal connectivity.
AuthorsAnnette Schenck, Abrar Qurashi, Pilar Carrera, Barbara Bardoni, Céline Diebold, Eyal Schejter, Jean-Louis Mandel, Angela Giangrande
JournalDevelopmental biology (Dev Biol) Vol. 274 Issue 2 Pg. 260-70 (Oct 15 2004) ISSN: 0012-1606 [Print] United States
PMID15385157 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
Chemical References
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • FMR1 protein, Drosophila
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Sra-1 protein, Drosophila
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Family
  • hem protein, Drosophila
  • Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein
Topics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing (genetics, metabolism)
  • Animals
  • Cell Movement
  • Drosophila Proteins (genetics, metabolism)
  • Drosophila melanogaster (anatomy & histology, embryology, genetics)
  • Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Microfilament Proteins (genetics, metabolism)
  • Mutation
  • Neuromuscular Junction (anatomy & histology, physiology)
  • Neurons (cytology, metabolism)
  • Phenotype
  • RNA-Binding Proteins (genetics, metabolism)
  • Signal Transduction (physiology)
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Family

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: