Requirement of a vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein family member for cell adhesion, the formation of filopodia, and chemotaxis in dictyostelium

J Biol Chem. 2002 Dec 20;277(51):49877-87. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M209107200. Epub 2002 Oct 17.

Abstract

We have examined the function of a member of the vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein family of proteins (DdVASP) in Dictyostelium. Ddvasp null cells lack filopodia, whereas targeting DdVASP to the plasma membrane with a myristoyl tag results in a significant increase in filopodia. The proline-rich domain-Ena/VASP homology 2 structure is required for both actin polymerization activity and filopodia formation. Ddvasp null cells exhibit a chemotaxis defect, which appears to be due to a defect in the ability of the cells to properly adhere to the substratum and to suppress lateral pseudopod extension. We demonstrate that during chemotaxis, the anterior approximately 50% of the cell lifts from the substratum and remains elevated for up to 1 min. These defects lead to a significant decrease in chemotaxis efficiency. DdVASP localizes to the leading edge in migrating cells and to the tips of filopodia. In addition, Ddvasp null cells have a defect in particle adhesion but internalize particles normally. Our results provide new insights into the function of DdVASP in controlling the actin cytoskeleton during chemotaxis and filopodia formation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / physiology*
  • Chemotaxis
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Dictyostelium / metabolism
  • Dictyostelium / physiology*
  • Gene Deletion
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Models, Biological
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Movement
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Phagocytosis
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism*
  • Phosphoproteins / physiology*
  • Precipitin Tests
  • Proline / chemistry
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Pseudopodia / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Time Factors
  • Vasodilator Agents / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Actins
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Peptides
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Proline
  • Cyclic AMP