Sra-1 interacts with Kette and Wasp and is required for neuronal and bristle development in Drosophila

Development. 2004 Aug;131(16):3981-9. doi: 10.1242/dev.01274. Epub 2004 Jul 21.

Abstract

Regulation of growth cone and cell motility involves the coordinated control of F-actin dynamics. An important regulator of F-actin formation is the Arp2/3 complex, which in turn is activated by Wasp and Wave. A complex comprising Kette/Nap1, Sra-1/Pir121/CYFIP, Abi and HSPC300 modulates the activity of Wave and Wasp. We present the characterization of Drosophila Sra-1 (specifically Rac1-associated protein 1). sra-1 and kette are spatially and temporally co-expressed, and both encoded proteins interact in vivo. During late embryonic and larval development, the Sra-1 protein is found in the neuropile. Outgrowing photoreceptor neurons express high levels of Sra-1 also in growth cones. Expression of double stranded sra-1 RNA in photoreceptor neurons leads to a stalling of axonal growth. Following knockdown of sra-1 function in motoneurons, we noted abnormal neuromuscular junctions similar to what we determined for hypomorphic kette mutations. Similar mutant phenotypes were induced after expression of membrane-bound Sra-1 that lacks the Kette-binding domain, suggesting that sra-1 function is mediated through kette. Furthermore, we could show that both proteins stabilize each other and directly control the regulation of the F-actin cytoskeleton in a Wasp-dependent manner.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / biosynthesis
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing*
  • Animals
  • Axons / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Drosophila / embryology*
  • Drosophila / metabolism
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Epistasis, Genetic
  • Eye Abnormalities / genetics
  • Eye Abnormalities / metabolism
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein

Substances

  • Actins
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Sra-1 protein, Drosophila
  • WASp protein, Drosophila
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein
  • hem protein, Drosophila