Leader cells regulate collective cell migration via Rac activation in the downstream signaling of integrin β1 and PI3K.

ABSTRACT: Collective cell migration plays a crucial role in several biological processes, such as embryonic development, wound healing, and cancer metastasis. Here, we focused on collectively migrating Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells that follow a leader cell on a collagen gel to clarify the mechanism of collective cell migration. First, we removed a leader cell from the migrating collective with a micromanipulator. This then caused disruption of the cohesive migration of cells that followed in movement, called "follower" cells, which showed the importance of leader cells. Next, we observed localization of active Rac, integrin β1, and PI3K. These molecules were clearly localized in the leading edge of leader cells, but not in follower cells. Live cell imaging using active Rac and a

SUBMITTER: Yamaguchi N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5379035 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature