Cells use molecular working memory to navigate in changing chemoattractant fields.

ABSTRACT: In order to migrate over large distances, cells within tissues and organisms rely on sensing local gradient cues which are irregular, conflicting, and changing over time and space. The mechanism how they generate persistent directional migration when signals are disrupted, while still remaining adaptive to signal's localization changes remain unknown. Here, we find that single cells utilize a molecular mechanism akin to a working memory to satisfy these two opposing demands. We derive theoretically that this is characteristic for receptor networks maintained away from steady states. Time-resolved live-cell imaging of Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) phosphorylation dynamics shows that cells transiently memorize position of encountered signals via slow-escaping remnant of the polariz

SUBMITTER: Nandan A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9282860 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature