Project Details
Projekt
Evolution of the actin-nucleating machinery
Applicant
Privatdozent Dr. Martin Kollmar
Subject Area
Cell Biology
Term
from 2013 to 2016
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 238906455
The reorganization of the actin filament network is one of the most important processes during cellular movement and cytokinesis. Therefore, the regulation of actin polymerization is essential. The cells use several proteins and mechanisms to nucleate actin filaments in response to signals. The formins and the Arp2/3 complex were the first actin-nucleators identified. The Arp2/3 complex needs activation, which is regulated by the WASP and the Scar/WAVE proteins. Very recently, the WASH and the WHAMM/JMY proteins have extended the repertoire of Arp2/3 activators. All these proteins share a WH2-domain for binding actin and a VCA-domain for the activation of Arp2/3. Other WH2-domain containing proteins, like Spire, Cordon-bleu (Cobl), and leiomodin, use different mechanisms to nucleate actin filaments. Recently, we have analysed the WASP family proteins and identified, among others, two new subfamilies, which we called WAML and WAWH. Here, we want to extend these studies by analysing the actin-nucleating proteins Cobl, Spire, leiomodin, and forming, and the WASP/WIP, WAVE, and WASH complexes. In addition, we will use these sequences together with the already obtained WASP family protein sequences to generate patterns for the WH2 domain and the WH2-CA regions to search for new candidates for actin-nucleating proteins.
DFG Programme
Priority Programmes
