unc-34 encodes an EVH1 domain-containing protein that is the sole C. elegans Enabled/VASP homolog; during development, unc-34 activity is required for proper cell migration and axon guidance and for normal locomotion and posterior body morphology; in regulating axon guidance, genetic analyses suggest that unc-34 likely functions downstream of slt-1/Slit and sax-3/Robo as well as unc-6/Netrin and unc-40/DCC, but in parallel to Rac GTPases and mig-15/NIK; in addition, UNC-34 binds MIG-10/RIAM/Lamellipodin in vitro, suggesting that UNC-34 functions as a link between external guidance cues and axon outgrowth; a functional UNC-34::GFP fusion protein localizes to the tips of filopodia in both dorsal and ventral domains of the HSN neuron.
Enables signaling receptor binding activity. Involved in axon development; gonad morphogenesis; and positive regulation of locomotion. Located in several cellular components, including cell junction; cell leading edge; and filopodium tip. Expressed in epithelial cell. Used to study tauopathy. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma. Is an ortholog of human ENAH (ENAH actin regulator) and EVL (Enah/Vasp-like).