Signaling pathways controlling the phosphorylation state of WAVE1, a regulator of actin polymerization

The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP)-family verprolin homologous protein 1 (WAVE1) is a key regulator of Arp (actin-related protein) 2/3 complex-mediated actin polymerization. We have established previously that the state of phosphorylation of WAVE1 at three distinct residues controls its ability to regulate actin polymerization and spine morphology. Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 phosphorylates WAVE1 at Ser310, Ser397 and Ser441 to a high basal stoichiometry, resulting in inhibition of WAVE1 activity. Our previous and current studies show that WAVE1 can be dephosphorylated at all three sites and thereby activated upon stimulation of the D1 subclass of dopamine receptors and of the NMDA subclass of glutamate receptors, acting through cAMP and Ca ²⁺ signaling pathways, respectively. Specifically, we have identified protein phosphatase-2A and protein phosphatase-2B as the effectors for these second messengers. These phosphatases act on different sites to mediate receptor-induced signaling pathways, which would lead to activation of WAVE1.