WASF2
WASF2 (WASP family member 2, also known as WAVE2 or SCAR2) is an actin-binding protein that acts downstream of tyrosine kinase receptors and small GTPases. It promotes actin filament formation and forms part of the WAVE complex that regulates lamellipodia formation. Browse Assay Genie's current range of WASF2 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
WASF2 is a downstream effector molecule that transmits signals from tyrosine kinase receptors and small GTPases to the actin cytoskeleton. It promotes the formation of actin filaments. WASF2 is part of the WAVE complex, which regulates lamellipodia formation and reorganises actin filaments through its interaction with the Arp2/3 complex. The multiprotein complex links receptor kinases and actin, and so helps to transduce signals that involve changes in cell shape, motility or function.
The human WASF2 gene encodes a member of the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein family, and the protein belongs to the SCAR/WAVE family. As in all family members, binding to actin occurs through a C-terminal verprolin homology domain. UniProt lists the protein in the cytoplasm and cytoskeleton, in lamellipodia, and at the basolateral cell membrane. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been reported for the gene. The mouse ortholog is Wasf2.
WASF2 is also known as WAVE2 and SCAR2, and earlier HGNC names include WAS protein family, member 2. NCBI notes that the published map location was revised after genomic sequence comparisons. These indicate that the expressed gene lies on chromosome 1 and that a pseudogene may lie on chromosome X. Researchers studying cell migration, cell shape and receptor-to-cytoskeleton signalling use WASF2 as a reference point for WAVE complex function, alongside related family members such as WASF1.
WASF2 promotes actin filament formation and reorganisation through its interaction with the Arp2/3 complex.
As part of the WAVE complex, WASF2 regulates lamellipodia formation and helps transduce signals that change cell shape and motility.
WASF2 acts downstream of tyrosine kinase receptors and small GTPases, linking receptor signals to the actin cytoskeleton.
WASF2 belongs to the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein family and the SCAR/WAVE family, which share a C-terminal verprolin homology domain.
WASF2 is a downstream effector that passes signals from tyrosine kinase receptors and small GTPases to the actin cytoskeleton. It promotes actin filament formation and is part of the WAVE complex, which regulates lamellipodia formation through its interaction with the Arp2/3 complex.
WASF2 is also called WAVE2 and SCAR2. Earlier HGNC names are WAS protein family, member 2, and WAS protein family member 2. NCBI reports two transcript variants that encode different isoforms, so check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity and isoform coverage.
The mouse ortholog is Wasf2. In humans, the expressed gene is on chromosome 1. NCBI notes that a pseudogene may be on chromosome X, following a revision of the originally published map location based on genomic sequence comparisons.
Other members of the WASP and SCAR/WAVE family with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q9Y6W5; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.