The scaffolding protein insulin receptor tyrosine kinase substrate p53 (IRSp53), a ubiquitous regulator of the actin cytoskeleton, mediates filopodia formation under the control of Rho-family GTPases. IRSp53 comprises a central SH3 domain, which binds to proline-rich regions of a wide range of actin regulators, and a conserved N-terminal IRSp53/MIM homology domain (IMD) that harbours F-actin-bundling activity. Here, we present the crystal structure of this novel actin-bundling domain revealing a coiled-coil domain that self-associates into a 180 Å-long zeppelin-shaped dimer. Sedimentation velocity experiments confirm the presence of a single molecular species of twice the molecular weight of the monomer in solution. Mutagenesis of conserved basic residues at the extreme ends of the dimer abrogated actin bundling in vitro and filopodia formation in vivo, demonstrating that IMDmediated actin bundling is required for IRSp53-induced filopodia formation. This study promotes an expanded view of IRSp53 as an actin regulator that integrates scaffolding and effector functions.

Numerous scaffold proteins coordinate signals from the environment with actin-based protrusions during shape change and migration. Many scaffolds integrate signals from Rho-family GTPases to effect the assembly of specific actin structures. Here we investigate the mechanism of action MIM-B (missing in metastasis-B) on the actin cytoskeleton. MIM-B binds actin monomer through a WASP homology 2 motif, bundles actin filaments via an IRSp53/MIM domain, and is a long isoform of MIM, a proposed metastasis suppressor. We analysed the activity of MIM-B toward the actin cytoskeleton as well as its potential link to cancer metastasis. Endogenous MIM-B protein is widely expressed and its expression is maintained in various metastatic cell lines. MIM-B induces lamellipodia-like actin-rich protrusions. The IRSp53/MIM domain of MIM-B, as well as Rac activity are required to induce protrusions, but not the WASP homology 2 motif. MIM-B binds and activates Rac via its IRSp53/MIM domain, but this is not sufficient to induce lamellipodia. Finally, our data revealed that actin bundling and Rac-binding properties of MIM-B are not separable. Thus, MIM-B is unlikely to be a metastasis suppressor but acts as a scaffold protein that interacts with Rac, actin and actin-associated proteins to modulate lamellipodia formation.

Despite their homology, the regulation of WASP and WAVE, activators of Arp2/3-dependent actin polymerization, has always been thought to be different. Several recent studies have revealed new aspects of their regulation, highlighting its complexity and the crucial role of post-translational modifications. New data also suggest additional functions for WASP family proteins, pushing us to reconsider existing models.

The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) family activates the Arp2/3 complex leading to the formation of new actin filaments. Here, we study the involvement of Scar1, Scar2, N-WASP, and Arp2/3 complex in dorsal ruffle formation in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Using platelet-derived growth factor to stimulate circular dorsal ruffle assembly in primary E13 and immortalized E9 Scar1 ؉/؉ and Scar1 null MEFs, we establish that Scar1 loss does not impair the formation of dorsal ruffles. Reduction of Scar2 protein levels via small interfering RNA (siRNA) also did not affect dorsal ruffle production. In contrast, wiskostatin, a chemical inhibitor of N-WASP, potently suppressed dorsal ruffle formation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, N-WASP and Arp2 siRNA treatment significantly decreased the formation of dorsal ruffles in MEFs. In addition, the expression of an N-WASP truncation mutant that cannot bind Arp2/3 complex blocked the formation of these structures. Finally, N-WASP ؊/؊ fibroblast-like cells generated aberrant dorsal ruffles. These ruffles were highly unstable, severely depleted of Arp2/3 complex, and diminished in size. We hypothesize that N-WASP and Arp2/3 complex are part of a multiprotein assembly important for the generation of dorsal ruffles and that Scar1 and Scar2 are dispensable for this process.