Abstract
Directional cell migration requires the coordination of actin assembly and membrane remodeling. The exocyst is an octameric protein complex essential for exocytosis and plasma membrane remodeling. A component of the exocyst, Exo70, directly interacts with the Arp2/3 complex, a core nucleating factor for the generation of branched actin networks for cell morphogenesis and migration. Using in vitro actin polymerization assay and time-lapse total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, we found that Exo70 functions as a kinetic activator of the Arp2/3 complex that promotes actin filament nucleation and branching. We further found that the effect of Exo70 on actin is mediated by promoting the interaction of the Arp2/3 complex with WAVE2, a member of the N-WASP/WAVE family of nucleation promoting factors. At the cellular level, the stimulatory effect of Exo70 on the Arp2/3 complex is required for lamellipodia formation and maintaining directional persistence of cell migration. Our findings provide a novel mechanism for regulating actin polymerization and branching for effective membrane protrusion during cell morphogenesis and migration.