Contribution of Filopodia to Cell Migration: A Mechanical Link between Protrusion and Contraction.

ABSTRACT: Numerous F-actin containing structures are involved in regulating protrusion of membrane at the leading edge of motile cells. We have investigated the structure and dynamics of filopodia as they relate to events at the leading edge and the function of the trailing actin networks. We have found that although filopodia contain parallel bundles of actin, they contain a surprisingly nonuniform spatial and temporal distribution of actin binding proteins. Along the length of the actin filaments in a single filopodium, the most distal portion contains primarily T-plastin, while the proximal portion is primarily bound by alpha-actinin and coronin. Some filopodia are stationary, but lateral filopodia move with respect to the leading edge. They appear to form a mechanical link between the actin poly

SUBMITTER: Xue F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2910478 | biostudies-literature | 2010

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature