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Microtubule release from the centrosome in migrating cells
Miguel Abal1, Matthieu Piel, Veronique Bouckson-Castaing
1Institut Curie/UMR 144 du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 75248 Paris, France.
The Journal of Cell Biology
|December 11, 2002
Summary
Cell migration relies on microtubules (MTs) detaching from the centrosome. Blocking this release, by overexpressing ninein, halts migration without affecting membrane ruffling, highlighting MT minus-end dynamics importance.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Cytoskeleton Dynamics
- Cell Migration
Background:
- Cell migration involves a polarized actomyosin system and coordinated actin and microtubule (MT) networks.
- The role of MT minus-end anchoring and release from the centrosome in cell migration is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of microtubule (MT) minus-end dynamics at the centrosome in cell migration.
- To determine the function of the centrosomal MT-anchoring protein ninein in regulating MTs during cell migration.
Main Methods:
- Observed MT release from the centrosome in migrating cells.
- Utilized dynein inhibition and ninein overexpression to study MT transport and anchoring.
- Assessed cell migration and membrane ruffling activity.
Main Results:
- Frequent release of short MTs from the centrosome occurs in migrating cells.
- Dynein activity is necessary for MT transport to the cell periphery.
- Overexpression of ninein abolishes MT release from the centrosome and inhibits cell migration.
- Polarized membrane ruffling remains unaffected in ninein-overexpressing cells.
Conclusions:
- The balance between MT minus-end capture and release from the centrosome is crucial for efficient cell migration.
- Ninein plays a key role in anchoring MTs at the centrosome, regulating their release and impacting migration.
- MT minus-end dynamics, rather than MT nucleation or polymerization, are critical for cell migration processes like membrane ruffling.