Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein family member 3 (WASF3) (WASF3)

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein family member 3 (WASF3), also known as WAVE3, is a member of the WASP/WAVE family of proteins that play a crucial role in regulating the actin cytoskeleton (UniProt P59768). It acts as a scaffold protein that relays signals from Rho-family GTPases to the Arp2/3 complex, facilitating the formation of lamellipodia and promoting cell migration (Sossey-Alaoui et al., 2007, PubMed: 17438101). In the context of oncology, WASF3 is frequently overexpressed in highly invasive and metastatic cancers, particularly breast and prostate cancer, where it drives the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and enhances the invasive potential of tumor cells (Teng et al., 2016, PubMed: 27105510). Targeting WASF3 mRNA using RNA interference (RNAi) or antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) has emerged as a therapeutic strategy to suppress protein expression and inhibit metastatic progression. Research indicates that silencing WASF3 can significantly reduce the motility and invasiveness of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, making it a promising target for anti-metastatic drug development (Sossey-Alaoui et al., 2018, PubMed: 29654268).

Other names

WAVE3SCAR3Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein family member 3 mRNAWAS protein family member 3Verprolin homology domain-containing protein 3

RNA interference (RNAi) or antisense-mediated degradation of WASF3 mRNA to prevent the translation of the WASF3 protein, thereby inhibiting the activation of the Arp2/3 complex and reducing actin-mediated cell motility and invasive potential.