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Negative regulation of fibroblast motility by Ena/VASP proteins

J E Bear1, J J Loureiro, I Libova

  • 1Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA.

Cell
|July 13, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Ena/VASP proteins, crucial for cell movement, were found to hinder fibroblast motility. Their removal increased cell movement, challenging existing models of Ena/VASP function.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Ena/VASP proteins are involved in cell motility by regulating the actin cytoskeleton.
  • They are typically found at focal adhesions and the leading edge of cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Ena/VASP proteins in fibroblast motility.
  • To determine if Ena/VASP proteins positively or negatively regulate cell movement.

Main Methods:

  • Overexpression of Ena/VASP proteins in fibroblasts.
  • Loss-of-function studies involving neutralization or deletion of Ena/VASP proteins.
  • Targeting Ena/VASP proteins to the cell membrane.

Main Results:

  • Overexpression of Ena/VASP proteins led to a dose-dependent decrease in fibroblast motility.
  • Complete removal or neutralization of Ena/VASP proteins resulted in enhanced cell movement.
  • Depleting Ena/VASP proteins from focal adhesions did not affect motility, but constitutive membrane targeting inhibited it.

Conclusions:

  • Ena/VASP proteins negatively regulate fibroblast motility, contrary to some established models.
  • The localization of Ena/VASP proteins is critical for their function in cell movement.
  • Findings contrast with models based on Listeria monocytogenes actin-based motility.

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