Definition
Arp2/3 is a heptameric complex composed of the Arp complex proteins (ARPC) 1–5 and the actin-related proteins Arp2 and Arp3 (Higgs and Pollard 1999, 2001). The Arp2/3 complex is highly conserved among eukaryotes, is a key regulator of cytoskeletal actin dynamics, and plays significant roles in cell motility, filopodia formation, cell adhesion, endocytosis, T-cell activation, and metastasis. Additionally, the Arp2/3 complex is utilized by several pathogens, including vaccinia virus, Listeria monocytogenes, baculovirus, and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) for intracellular motility or, in the case of EPEC, the creation of an actin pedestal (Haglund and Welch 2011). Recently, the Arp2/3 complex and its upstream signaling regulator, WAVE2, have also been implicated in HIV infection of primary CD4 T cells and macrophages (Spear et al. 2014).
Introduction
In cells, spontaneous actin nucleation is prevented by G-actin-binding proteins such as thymosin β4. Additionally, the...
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Spear, M., Wu, Y. (2018). Arp2/3. In: Hope, T.J., Richman, D.D., Stevenson, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of AIDS. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7101-5_71
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7101-5_71
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