WASF1
WASF1 (WASP family member 1, also known as WAVE1, SCAR1, WAVE and KIAA0269) is an actin-binding protein of the SCAR/WAVE family. It acts downstream of tyrosine kinase receptors and small GTPases to promote actin filament formation. Browse Assay Genie's current range of WASF1 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
WASF1 is a downstream effector molecule that transmits signals from tyrosine kinase receptors and small GTPases to the actin cytoskeleton, and it promotes the formation of actin filaments. It plays a critical role downstream of Rac, a Rho-family small GTPase, in regulating the actin cytoskeleton required for membrane ruffling. The protein is part of the WAVE complex, which regulates lamellipodia formation and reorganises actin filaments through its interaction with the Arp2/3 complex. In vitro, it associates with the Arp2/3 actin nucleation core and enhances actin polymerisation.
Beyond actin dynamics, WASF1 as a component of the WAVE1 complex is required for BDNF-NTRK2 endocytic trafficking and for signalling from early endosomes. It is also involved in the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics. UniProt records the protein in the cytoplasm and cytoskeleton, at the synapse and at focal adhesions at cell junctions. The WASF1 gene encodes a single protein, and multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants have been found that encode the same protein.
WASF1 belongs to the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) family and the SCAR/WAVE family, and HGNC also lists it among the A-kinase anchoring proteins and the SCAR/WAVE complex group. Previous names include WAS protein family, member 1. Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is a disease of the immune system, likely caused by defects in regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, which places WASP-family proteins such as WASF1 within a pathway of wide biological interest. The related family member WASF2 is studied alongside it in work on WAVE complex function. Mouse and rat orthologues are both named Wasf1.
WASF1 promotes actin filament formation and enhances Arp2/3-mediated polymerisation, making it a central subject in studies of cytoskeletal reorganisation.
As part of the WAVE complex downstream of Rac, WASF1 regulates lamellipodia formation and the membrane ruffling needed for cell motility.
The WAVE1 complex is required for BDNF-NTRK2 endocytic trafficking and signalling from early endosomes, and WASF1 localises to the synapse.
WASF1 is involved in regulating mitochondrial dynamics, linking actin regulators to organelle behaviour.
WASF1 transmits signals from tyrosine kinase receptors and small GTPases, notably Rac, to the actin cytoskeleton. As part of the WAVE complex it interacts with the Arp2/3 complex to promote actin filament formation and regulate lamellipodia. It also contributes to BDNF-NTRK2 trafficking and mitochondrial dynamics.
WASF1 is also called WAVE1, WAVE, WAVE-1, SCAR1 and KIAA0269. Its full name is WASP family member 1, and earlier names include WAS protein family, member 1. UniProt lists the protein as Actin-binding protein WASF1. Several splice variants have been reported, all encoding the same protein.
Orthologues exist in mouse and rat, both named Wasf1; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity. WASF1 belongs to the WASP family, named for Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, an immune disease likely caused by defects in actin cytoskeleton regulation.
Other WASP-family and WAVE complex proteins involved in actin cytoskeleton regulation.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q92558; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.