The actin cytoskeleton of a eukaryotic cell is central to locomotion, phagocytosis, contractility, shape changes, cytokinesis and maintenance of polarity. The mechanisms through which actin coordinates these different activities have been fascinating for many years, but the pace of discovery has recently been especially rapid. This review will concentrate on how cells control actin polymerization to produce the force for motility and shape changes.
It is becoming clear that the Arp2/3 complex, a complex of seven proteins including the actin-related proteins Arp2 and Arp3, regulates the assembly of new actin filament networks at the leading edges of cells. Proteins of the WASP (Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome protein) family bind directly to the Arp2/3 complex and stimulate its ability to promote the nucleation of new actin filaments. Upstream of WASP-family proteins, receptor tyrosine kinases, the Rho-family GTPase Cdc42, and likely G...
