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Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Measuring Cell-Edge Protrusion Dynamics during Spreading using Live-Cell Microscopy
Published on: November 1, 2021
Exocyst complex component 3-like 2 (EXOC3L2) associates with the exocyst complex and mediates directional migration
Irmeli Barkefors1, Peder Fredlund Fuchs, Johan Heldin
1Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Husargatan 3, P. O. Box 582, SE-751 23, Uppsala, Sweden.
Abstract:
The exocyst is a protein complex that ensures spatial targeting of exocytotic vesicles to the plasma membrane. We present microarray data obtained from differentiating mouse embryonic stem cell cultures that identify an up-regulation of exocyst complex component 3-like 2 (exoc3l2) mRNA in sprouting blood vessels. Vascular expression of exoc3l2 is confirmed by qPCR analysis of different mouse tissues and immunofluorescence analyses of mouse brain sections. We detect an up-regulation of exoc3l2 mRNA synthesis in primary human endothelial cells in response to VEGFA, and this response is enhanced when the cells are grown on a three-dimensional collagen I matrix. Myc-tagged EXOC3L2 co-precipitates with the exocyst protein EXOC4, and immunofluorescence detection of EXOC3L2 shows partial subcellular colocalization with EXOC4 and EXOC7. Finally, we show that exoc3l2 silencing inhibits VEGF receptor 2 phosphorylation and VEGFA-directed migration of cultured endothelial cells.
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