ERK builds a population of short-lived nascent adhesions that produce persistent edge protrusion and cell migration.

ABSTRACT: Cell migration is realized through the fast and persistent protrusion of a leading edge in the direction of movement. The actin and adhesion structures that build edge protrusions are integrated such that pro-migration signaling pathways must control both assemblies to induce protrusion. Understanding the contribution of adhesion regulation has been complicated by the inability to selectively assay the nascent adhesions that promote edge protrusion. Here, we dissect how the core RAS→RAF→MEK→ERK pathway's control of nascent adhesions contributes to edge protrusion and cell migration by targeting an ERK FRET biosensor to adhesions and quantifying ERK's spatial and temporal activity. We find that ERK is activated in the assembling, membrane-proximal region of nascent adhesions through adhesio

SUBMITTER: Shepherd AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12667842 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature