Ena/VASP proteins enhance actin polymerization in the presence of barbed end capping proteins

J Biol Chem. 2005 Aug 5;280(31):28653-62. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M503957200. Epub 2005 Jun 6.

Abstract

Ena/VASP proteins influence the organization of actin filament networks within lamellipodia and filopodia of migrating cells and in actin comet tails. The molecular mechanisms by which Ena/VASP proteins control actin dynamics are unknown. We investigated how Ena/VASP proteins regulate actin polymerization at actin filament barbed ends in vitro in the presence and absence of barbed end capping proteins. Recombinant His-tagged VASP increased the rate of actin polymerization in the presence of the barbed end cappers, heterodimeric capping protein (CP), CapG, and gelsolin-actin complex. Profilin enhanced the ability of VASP to protect barbed ends from capping by CP, and this required interactions of profilin with G-actin and VASP. The VASP EVH2 domain was sufficient to protect barbed ends from capping, and the F-actin and G-actin binding motifs within EVH2 were required. Phosphorylation by protein kinase A at sites within the VASP EVH2 domain regulated anti-capping and F-actin bundling by VASP. We propose that Ena/VASP proteins associate at or near actin filament barbed ends, promote actin assembly, and restrict the access of barbed end capping proteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Actins / chemistry
  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Binding Sites
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Dimerization
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Spectrin / metabolism

Substances

  • Actins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • ENA-VASP proteins
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Spectrin