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Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Measuring Cell-Edge Protrusion Dynamics during Spreading using Live-Cell Microscopy
Published on: November 1, 2021
Regulation of cortical actin networks in cell migration
Shiro Suetsugu1, Tadaomi Takenawa
1Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, and CREST, Japan Science and Technology Corporation, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan.
Abstract:
The actin cytoskeleton is a primary determinant of cell shape and motility. Studies on actin regulatory proteins are now coupled with studies of the signal transduction that directs actin cytoskeleton reorganization, and we have gained insights into how external stimuli such as chemoattractants drive changes in actin cytoskeleton. Chemoattractants regulate actin regulatory proteins such as the Arp2/3 complex through WASP family proteins, ADF/cofilin downstream of LIM-kinase, and various other phosphoinositide-dependent or -independent pathways. Through branching of actin filaments, Arp2/3 complex-dependent actin polymerization is suffcient to generate the force necessary for protrusion.
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