The great escape; phosphorylation of Ena/VASP by PKA promotes filopodial formation.

The Ena/VASP family of proteins consists of adaptor molecules that localize to subcellular sites of actin polymerization. The role of Ena/VASP proteins in the regulation of cell motility and axon outgrowth has been controversial. Recently, these proteins have been proposed to function as "anticapping" factors, which may have differential effects on filopodial versus lammelipodial actin-based protrusions. A study by Lebrand et al. in this issue of Neuron supports this model and identifies PKA as a key regulator of Ena/VASP function downstream of the chemoattractant Netrin.