The actin cytoskeleton plays critical roles in cell morphologic changes and motility. Rho family small GTPases, such as Rho (MIM.165370), RAC (MIM.602048), and CDC42 (MIM.116952), organize the actin cytoskeleton.

Other major players in actin-based motility are the 7 members of the ARP2/3 complex (MIM.604221).

The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) (MIM.301000), WASP-like (WASL) (MIM.605056), and WASF1 are among the downstream effector molecules involved in the transmission of signals from tyrosine kinase receptors and small GTPases to the actin cytoskeleton.

Pathology

 germ-lime mutations in Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome
 germ-line mutations in the X-linked thrombocytopenia (XLT)

See also

 WASP-family members
 Arp2/3
 lamellipodia

References

 Stradal TE, Rottner K, Disanza A, Confalonieri S, Innocenti M, Scita G. Regulation of actin dynamics by WASP and WAVE family proteins. Trends Cell Biol. 2004 Jun;14(6):303-11. PMID: #15183187#

 Vartiainen MK, Machesky LM. The WASP-Arp2/3 pathway: genetic insights. Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2004 Apr;16(2):174-81. PMID: #15196561#

 Imai K, Nonoyama S, Ochs HD. WASP (Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein) gene mutations and phenotype. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2003 Dec;3(6):427-36. PMID: #14612666#

 Snapper SB, Rosen FS: The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP): roles in signaling and cytoskeletal organization. Annu Rev Immunol 17:905, 1999.