Ena/VASP Family Proteins and How They Regulate Cell Migration

We have generated a strain of mice carrying a disruption of Mena locus. Mena mutants have defects in several major axonal tracts, suggesting that Mena is required for proper formation of these nerves. Requirements for Mena in many cell types may be masked by the presence of the related VASP and Evl proteins. In collaboration with Reinhard Fässler (Lund University, Sweden) we are analyzing Mena/VASP double mutants. We are disrupting the Evl locus to permit the analysis of Evl and Mena/Evl double mutants. We are characterizing the function of Ena/VASP proteins at a cellular level through the use of cells derived from mutants, or cells that express constructs that inhibit Ena/VASP function. We have recently discovered that Ena/VASP proteins play an inhibitory role in fibroblast movement and lamellipodial extension. We are utilizing similar approaches to study Ena/VASP function in neuronal migration and growth cone guidance in response to known chemoattractants and repellents.