Nanometer targeting of microtubules to focal adhesions.

ABSTRACT: Although cell movement is driven by actin, polarization and directional locomotion require an intact microtubule cytoskeleton that influences polarization by modulating substrate adhesion via specific targeting interactions with adhesion complexes. The fidelity of adhesion site targeting is precise; using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM), we now show microtubule ends (visualized by incorporation of GFP tubulin) are within 50 nm of the substrate when polymerizing toward the cell periphery, but not when shrinking from it. Multiple microtubules sometimes followed similar tracks, suggesting guidance along a common cytoskeletal element. Use of TIRFM with GFP- or DsRed-zyxin in combination with either GFP-tubulin or GFP-CLIP-170 further revealed that the polymerizing mic

SUBMITTER: Krylyshkina O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2172972 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature