Stochastic model of integrin-mediated signaling and adhesion dynamics at the leading edges of migrating cells.

ABSTRACT: Productive cell migration requires the spatiotemporal coordination of cell adhesion, membrane protrusion, and actomyosin-mediated contraction. Integrins, engaged by the extracellular matrix (ECM), nucleate the formation of adhesive contacts at the cell's leading edge(s), and maturation of nascent adhesions to form stable focal adhesions constitutes a functional switch between protrusive and contractile activities. To shed additional light on the coupling between integrin-mediated adhesion and membrane protrusion, we have formulated a quantitative model of leading edge dynamics combining mechanistic and phenomenological elements and studied its features through classical bifurcation analysis and stochastic simulation. The model describes in mathematical terms the feedback loops driving, on

SUBMITTER: Cirit M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2829041 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature