New WAVEs in neuronal PI3K signalling.

EMBO J 30 23, 4739–4754 (2011); published online September 23 2011 The processes involved in the formation of the nervous system require the function of a multitude of proteins, which regulate a diverse array of cellular responses. The PI3K signalling pathway has emerged as being central to a number of steps that orchestrate the integrations of neurons into functional neuronal circuits. Consequently, the PI3K pathway is a key target in complex neurodevelopmental disorders thought to result from defects in developmental processes, such as autism, epilepsy and schizophrenia. In this issue of The EMBO Journal, Yamamoto and colleagues identify novel regulators of PI3K in neurons. In this work, NYAPs or ‘Neuronal tYrosine-phosphorylated Adaptor for the PI3K’ are demonstrated to link PI3K signalling to the WAVE1 complex.