Nance-Horan Syndrome-like 1 protein negatively regulates Scar/WAVE-Arp2/3 activity and inhibits lamellipodia stability and cell migration

Cell migration is important for development and its aberrant regulation contributes to many diseases. The Scar/WAVE complex is essential for Arp2/3 mediated lamellipodia formation during mesenchymal cell migration and several coinciding signals activate it. However, so far, no direct negative regulators are known. Here we identify Nance-Horan Syndrome-like 1 protein (NHSL1) as a direct binding partner of the Scar/WAVE complex, which co-localise at protruding lamellipodia. This interaction is mediated by the Abi SH3 domain and two binding sites in NHSL1. Furthermore, active Rac binds to NHSL1 at two regions that mediate leading edge targeting of NHSL1. Surprisingly, NHSL1 inhibits cell migration through its interaction with the Scar/WAVE complex. Mechanistically, NHSL1 may reduce cell migration efficiency by impeding Arp2/3 activity, as measured in cells using a Arp2/3 FRET-FLIM biosensor, resulting in reduced F-actin density of lamellipodia, and consequently impairing the stability of lamellipodia protrusions. Cell migration is essential for many physiological processes. Its deregulation causes cancer metastasis and it is not well understood how it is tightly controlled. We identify NHSL1 as a negative regulator of actin nucleating Scar/WAVE-Arp2/3 complexes, cell protrusion stability, and cell migration.

Automated summary

NHSL1 interacts with the Scar/WAVE complex to inhibit cell migration by potentially reducing Arp2/3 activity, leading to decreased F-actin density in lamellipodia and impairing protrusion stability.