Ena/VASP: towards resolving a pointed controversy at the barbed end.

Abstract	Ena/VASP proteins are conserved regulators of actin dynamics that have important roles in several physiological processes such as morphogenesis, axon guidance, endothelial barrier function, and cancer cell invasion and metastasis. Although considerable evidence points towards an anti-capping mechanism for Ena/VASP function, some controversy remains. Here, we evaluate the evidence for and against the anti-capping hypothesis, including results from some recent structural and biochemical studies that shed new light on this issue. In addition, we describe several alternate mechanisms that Ena/VASP proteins may utilize to regulate actin dynamics in vivo, including inhibition of branching, bundling and profilin-actin recruitment.
Authors	James E Bear, Frank B Gertler
Journal	Journal of cell science (J Cell Sci) Vol. 122 Issue Pt 12 Pg. 1947-53 (Jun 15 2009) ISSN: 0021-9533 [Print] England
PMID	19494122 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Review)
Chemical References	Actin Capping Proteins DNA-Binding Proteins ENA-VASP proteins
Topics	Actin Capping Proteins (antagonists & inhibitors) Actin Cytoskeleton (metabolism) Animals Cytoskeleton (metabolism) DNA-Binding Proteins (chemistry, metabolism, physiology) Dissent and Disputes Humans Models, Biological Protein Multimerization (physiology)

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