Competition between blown fuse and WASP for WIP binding regulates the dynamics of WASP-dependent actin polymerization in vivo

Peng Jin, Rui Duan, Fengbao Luo, Guofeng Zhang, Sabrina N. Hong, Elizabeth Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Scopus citations

Abstract

Dynamic rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton play a key role in numerous cellular processes. In Drosophila, fusion between a muscle founder cell and a fusion competent myoblast (FCM) is mediated by an invasive, F-actin-enriched podosome-like structure (PLS). Here, we show that the dynamics of the PLS is controlled by Blown fuse (Blow), a cytoplasmic protein required for myoblast fusion but whose molecular function has been elusive. We demonstrate that Blow is an FCM-specific protein that colocalizes with WASP, WIP/Solitary, and the actin focus within the PLS. Biochemically, Blow modulates the stability of the WASP-WIP complex by competing with WASP for WIP binding, leading to a rapid exchange of WASP, WIP and G-actin within the PLS, which, in turn, actively invades the adjacent founder cell to promote fusion pore formation. These studies identify a regulatory protein that modulates the actin cytoskeletal dynamics by controlling the stability of the WASP-WIP complex.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)623-638
Number of pages16
JournalDevelopmental cell
Volume20
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 17 2011

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology

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