The actin cytoskeleton is a fundamental component of the cell and is involved in many processes, including cell division, cell migration, vesicle trafficking and cell polarity. The actin cytoskeleton has a very important role in embryogenesis as the cells within developing tissues proliferate, migrate, interpret extracellular cues, and shape complex tissues. The molecules that help the cell to interpret its environment and turn those cues into morphological changes are of great interest. One protein that may be involved in this manner is Cordon-bleu (Cobl).

In mouse embryos, Cobl's expression pattern resembles that of important developmental genes, is restricted to distinct domains, and changes dynamically throughout development as tissues are formed. While it is known that Cobl expression is regulated by developmental signaling pathways such as Shh and BMP, its molecular function at the cellular level remains elusive. In this study, we have identified molecular functions of Cobl. Cobl has C-terminal Wasp Homology 2 (WH2) domains which bind actin and nucleate new actin filaments in in vitro polymerization assays. Using cultured cells, we have determined that Cobl is involved in cytoskeletal remodeling during neurite branching and epithelial cell migration. We also demonstrate that Cobl interacts with the Syndapin family of adaptor proteins that link endocytosis and vesicle trafficking. Cobl colocalizes with Sdp2 in cultured epithelial cells and similarly localizes with Sdp1 and Sdp2 in developing mouse embryos. The localization of Cobl or Sdp2 in cultured epithelial cells is dependent on the other, as demonstrated using shRNA knockdown.

Previous studies demonstrated that a hypomorphic allele of Cobl interacts genetically with Looptail in midbrain neurulation. Looptail mutants are deficient in the gene Vangl2, a member of the planar cell polarity pathway that coordinates the morphogenesis of a sheet of cells. To discover other roles for Cobl in the developing mouse, we have generated a conditionally null allele of Cobl. We find that outbred Cobl homozygous mutants are viable, but that they have inner ear defects. Together, our studies demonstrate that Cobl is a tissue-specific actin nucleator whose localization is regulated by its interaction with Syndapins and which functions in the development of sensory epithelia.