VASP localization to lipid bilayers induces polymerization driven actin bundle formation

Abstract

Contrary to conventional actin cross-linkers, we show that vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) bound to lipid bilayers in vitro facilitates the formation of actin bundles through alignment by polymerization. The mobility enables VASP to phase separate and track growing barbed ends while accumulating on the actin bundles. This in turn results in a reorganization of the bilayer.