WIP is a negative regulator of neuronal maturation and synaptic activity.

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) -interacting protein (WIP) is an actin-binding protein involved in the regulation of actin polymerization in cells, such as fibroblasts and lymphocytes. Despite its recognized function in non-neuronal cells, the role of WIP in the central nervous system has not been examined previously. We used WIP-deficient mice to examine WIP function both in vivo and in vitro. We report here that WIP(-)(/-) hippocampal neurons exhibit enlargement of somas as well as overgrowth of neuritic and dendritic branches that are more evident in early developmental stages. Dendritic arborization and synaptogenesis, which includes generation of postsynaptic dendritic spines, are actin-dependent processes that occur in parallel at later stages. WIP deficiency also increases the amplitude and frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents, suggesting that WIP(-)(/-) neurons have more mature synapses than wild-type neurons. These findings reveal WIP as a previously unreported regulator of neuronal maturation and synaptic activity.

WIP, What an Interesting Protein for leukocyte activation, migration and inflammation

La inflamación es un proceso fisiológico dirigido a prevenir o reparar los daños producidos por agresiones externas, infecciones o intoxicación. Este proceso depende de la coordinación entre la activacióny migración de los leucocitos hacia la región dañada y por tanto está asociado con cambios en la morfología celular y con la reorganización del citoesqueleto de actina. El citoesqueleto de actina tambiéncontribuye a otros cambios morfológicos esenciales necesarios para la vida de la célula. WIP (WASP Interacting Protein) es una proteína que se une a la actina y participa en procesos inflamatorios.Dicha unión estabiliza los microfilamentos de actina y regula su organización especial y temporal. La ausencia de WIP induce la formación de redes de actina deficientes en linfocitos T y B, lo que conducea la modificación de la capacidad linfocitaria de activación y migración y desemboca en alteraciones autoinmunes con infiltración leucocitaria en órganos vitales y muerte del animal

Inflammation refers to a physiological process aimed at preventing or repairing the damage induced by infection, injury or intoxication. This process requires the coordinated activation and migration of leukocytes to the damaged area and therefore it is associatedwith changes in cell morphology and actin cytoskeleton reorganization. Actin cytoskeleton is also required for many other changes in cellular morphology that take place during cell life. WIP (WASP InteractingProtein) is an actin-binding protein involved in inflammation. WIP stabilizes actin filaments and regulates their temporal and spatial organization. Absence of WIP leads to formation of defective actinnetworks in T and B lymphocytes (that entail defective lymphocyte activation and migration) and ultimately results in autoimmunity and leukocyte infiltration in vital organs resulting in a fatal outcome