(S)-wiskostatin

(S)-wiskostatin is a small molecule inhibitor that selectively targets neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP), a key regulator of actin polymerization and cytoskeleton dynamics. It acts by binding to the regulatory GTPase-binding domain of N-WASP, stabilizing its autoinhibited conformation, and thereby preventing activation by Cdc42 and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). This inhibition blocks the downstream activation of the Arp2/3 complex, resulting in reduced actin filament nucleation. The compound has been widely used as a research tool to study actin-dependent cellular processes such as cell motility, membrane trafficking, dendritic spine formation, and synaptic development[3][7][9]. Its primary use is experimental; it is not approved for clinical or therapeutic applications.

Other names

wiskostatin