N-WASP deficiency impairs EGF internalization and actin assembly at clathrin-coated pits

J Cell Sci. 2005 Jul 15;118(Pt 14):3103-15. doi: 10.1242/jcs.02444. Epub 2005 Jun 28.

Abstract

WASP and WAVE family proteins promote actin polymerization by stimulating Arp2/3-complex-dependent filament nucleation. Unlike WAVE proteins, which are known to drive the formation of protrusions such as lamellipodia and membrane ruffles, vertebrate cell functions of WASP or N-WASP are less well established. Recent work demonstrated that clathrin-coated pit invagination can coincide with assembly of actin filaments and with accumulation of N-WASP and Arp2/3 complex, but the relevance of their recruitment has remained poorly defined. We employed two-colour total internal reflection microscopy to study the recruitment and dynamics of various components of the actin polymerization machinery and the epidermal growth factor receptor signalling machinery during clathrin-coated pit internalization in control cells and cells genetically deficient for functional N-WASP. We found that clathrin-coated pit endocytosis coincides with the recruitment of N-WASP, Arp2/3 complex and associated proteins, but not of WAVE family members. Actin accumulation at clathrin-coated pits requires the Arp2/3 complex, since Arp2/3 complex sequestration in the cytosol abolished any detectable actin assembly. The absence of N-WASP caused a significant reduction in the frequencies of actin and Arp2/3 complex accumulations at sites of clathrin-coated pit invagination and vesicle departure. Although N-WASP was not essential for Arp2/3-complex-mediated actin assembly at these sites or for EGF receptor-mediated endocytosis, N-WASP deficiency caused a marked reduction of EGF internalization. We conclude that the assembly of WASP subfamily proteins and associated factors at sites of clathrin-coated pit invagination amplifies actin accumulations at these sites promoting efficient internalization of ligands via clathrin-mediated endocytosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actin-Related Protein 2-3 Complex / metabolism
  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Clathrin / metabolism*
  • Coated Pits, Cell-Membrane / metabolism*
  • Endocytosis
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transfection
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein, Neuronal / deficiency*

Substances

  • Actin-Related Protein 2-3 Complex
  • Actins
  • Clathrin
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein, Neuronal
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • ErbB Receptors