WASL (gene)
Encyclopedia
Neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein is a protein
that in humans is encoded by the WASL gene
.
The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) family of proteins share similar domain structure, and are involved in transduction of signals from receptor
s on the cell surface to the actin
cytoskeleton
. The presence of a number of different motifs suggests that they are regulated by a number of different stimuli, and interact with multiple protein
s. Recent studies have demonstrated that these proteins, directly or indirectly, associate with the small GTPase
, Cdc42
, known to regulate formation of actin filaments, and the cytoskeletal organizing complex, Arp2/3. The WASL gene product is a homolog of WAS protein, however, unlike the latter, it is ubiquitously expressed and shows highest expression in neural tissues. It has been shown to bind Cdc42 directly, and induce formation of long actin microspikes.
According to one study, mouse DAB1
regulates actin cytoskeleton through N-WASP.
with RHOQ
, NCK1
, Profilin 1
, Cortactin
and CDC42
.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
that in humans is encoded by the WASL gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
.
The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) family of proteins share similar domain structure, and are involved in transduction of signals from receptor
Receptor (biochemistry)
In biochemistry, a receptor is a molecule found on the surface of a cell, which receives specific chemical signals from neighbouring cells or the wider environment within an organism...
s on the cell surface to the actin
Actin
Actin is a globular, roughly 42-kDa moonlighting protein found in all eukaryotic cells where it may be present at concentrations of over 100 μM. It is also one of the most highly-conserved proteins, differing by no more than 20% in species as diverse as algae and humans...
cytoskeleton
Cytoskeleton
The cytoskeleton is a cellular "scaffolding" or "skeleton" contained within a cell's cytoplasm and is made out of protein. The cytoskeleton is present in all cells; it was once thought to be unique to eukaryotes, but recent research has identified the prokaryotic cytoskeleton...
. The presence of a number of different motifs suggests that they are regulated by a number of different stimuli, and interact with multiple protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
s. Recent studies have demonstrated that these proteins, directly or indirectly, associate with the small GTPase
GTPase
GTPases are a large family of hydrolase enzymes that can bind and hydrolyze guanosine triphosphate . The GTP binding and hydrolysis takes place in the highly conserved G domain common to all GTPases.-Functions:...
, Cdc42
CDC42
Cell division control protein 42 homolog also known as CDC42 is a protein involved in regulation of the cell cycle. In humans, CDC42 is encoded by the CDC42 gene.- Function :...
, known to regulate formation of actin filaments, and the cytoskeletal organizing complex, Arp2/3. The WASL gene product is a homolog of WAS protein, however, unlike the latter, it is ubiquitously expressed and shows highest expression in neural tissues. It has been shown to bind Cdc42 directly, and induce formation of long actin microspikes.
According to one study, mouse DAB1
DAB1
The Disabled-1 gene encodes a key regulator of Reelin signaling. Reelin is a large glycoprotein secreted by neurons of the developing brain, particularly Cajal-Retzius cells. DAB1 functions downstream of Reln in a signaling pathway...
regulates actin cytoskeleton through N-WASP.
Interactions
WASL (gene) has been shown to interactProtein-protein interaction
Protein–protein interactions occur when two or more proteins bind together, often to carry out their biological function. Many of the most important molecular processes in the cell such as DNA replication are carried out by large molecular machines that are built from a large number of protein...
with RHOQ
RHOQ
Rho-related GTP-binding protein RhoQ is a protein that in humans is encoded by the RHOQ gene.-Interactions:RHOQ has been shown to interact with EXOC7, GOPC, PARD6B, WASL, CDC42EP2, TRIP10 and CDC42EP3.-Further reading:...
, NCK1
NCK1
Cytoplasmic protein NCK1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NCK1 gene.-Interactions:NCK1 has been shown to interact with DNM1, EIF2B2, KHDRBS1, Lymphocyte cytosolic protein 2, EPH receptor B1, SOCS7, MINK1, MAP4K1, MAP4K4, Abl gene, WIPF1, RRAS, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein,...
, Profilin 1
Profilin 1
Profilin-1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PFN1 gene.-Interactions:Profilin 1 has been shown to interact with WASF1, FMNL1, WASL, MLLT4 and Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein.-Further reading:...
, Cortactin
Cortactin
Cortactin is a monomeric protein located in the cytoplasm of cells that can be activated by external stimuli to promote polymerization and rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton, especially the actin cortex around the cellular periphery. It is present in all cell types...
and CDC42
CDC42
Cell division control protein 42 homolog also known as CDC42 is a protein involved in regulation of the cell cycle. In humans, CDC42 is encoded by the CDC42 gene.- Function :...
.