Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome proteins (WASPs) regulate the actin cytoskeleton by directly interacting with actin in the Arp2/3 complex. As a result, they have essential functions in diverse cellular processes, including phagocytosis, cell motility, and membrane trafficking. Wiskostatin is a cell-permeable, selective inhibitor of neural WASP (N-WASP, IC50 = ~ 10 μM). It directly associates with the GTPase-binding domain of N-WASP, preventing its activation by Cdc42 and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. By inhibiting N-WASP, wiskostatin interferes with membrane transport, endocytosis, and neurological development.
