N-WASP binds ARP2/3 and G-actin

Once neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASL, N-WASP) is activated its VCA region becomes available for binding to actin-related protein (ARP2/3) complex and actin monomer. The actin monomer binds to the V-domain and ARP2/3 complex binds to the CA-domain. The simultaneous binding of G-actin and the ARP2/3 complex to the VCA region contributes to the activation of ARP2/3-complex-mediated actin polymerization (Takenawa & Suetsugu 2007). Actin polymerization via N-WASP and the ARP2/3 complex leads to spherical expansion of dendritic spine heads.

一旦神经Wiskott-Aldrich综合征蛋白（WASL，N-WASP）被激活，其VCA区域便可供结合至肌动蛋白相关蛋白（ARP2/3）复合体和肌动蛋白单体。肌动蛋白单体与V结构域结合，而ARP2/3复合体与CA结构域结合。G-肌动蛋白与ARP2/3复合体同时结合至VCA区域，有助于通过ARP2/3复合体介导的肌动蛋白聚合激活（Takenawa & Suetsugu 2007）。通过N-WASP和ARP2/3复合体介导的肌动蛋白聚合，导致树突棘头部的球形扩张。