EVL and MIM/MTSS1 regulate actin cytoskeletal remodeling to promote dendritic filopodia in neurons.

ABSTRACT: Dendritic spines are the postsynaptic compartment of a neuronal synapse and are critical for synaptic connectivity and plasticity. A developmental precursor to dendritic spines, dendritic filopodia (DF), facilitate synapse formation by sampling the environment for suitable axon partners during neurodevelopment and learning. Despite the significance of the actin cytoskeleton in driving these dynamic protrusions, the actin elongation factors involved are not well characterized. We identified the Ena/VASP protein EVL as uniquely required for the morphogenesis and dynamics of DF. Using a combination of genetic and optogenetic manipulations, we demonstrated that EVL promotes protrusive motility through membrane-direct actin polymerization at DF tips. EVL forms a complex at nascent protrusions a

SUBMITTER: Parker SS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9998662 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature