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Cell Migration

Cell Migration

Cell migration, the process by which cells move from one location to another, is essential for the proper development and viability of organisms throughout their life. When cells are not able to migrate properly to their ordained locations, various disorders may occur. For example, disruption in cell migration causes chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.

Cell Migration

Cell Migration

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Imaging G-protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR)-mediated Signaling Events that Control Chemotaxis of Dictyostelium Discoideum

Imaging G-protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR)-mediated Signaling Events that Control Chemotaxis of Dictyostelium Discoideum

Published on: September 20, 2011

Chemotaxis: signalling the way forward.

Peter J M Van Haastert¹, Peter N Devreotes

¹Department of Biochemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747AG Groningen, The Netherlands. haastert@chem.rug.nl

Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology

|September 16, 2004

Summary

Human neutrophils and amoebae migrate using dynamic cell extensions. Signaling molecules guide these extensions during directed cell migration, revealing complex cellular communication networks.

Area of Science:

Cell biology
Biochemistry
Biophysics

Background:

Cells like neutrophils and amoebae exhibit dynamic cytoplasmic extensions during movement.
Directed cell migration, or chemotaxis, involves pseudopodia formation at the leading edge in response to signaling molecules.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the intricate signaling networks mediating directed cell migration.
To understand the mechanisms of signaling molecule localization within migrating cells.

Main Methods:

Observation of neutrophil and Dictyostelium discoideum locomotion.
Analysis of actin and myosin dynamics during cell movement.
Investigation of signaling molecule involvement in chemotaxis.

Main Results:

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Imaging G Protein-coupled Receptor-mediated Chemotaxis and its Signaling Events in Neutrophil-like HL60 Cells

Imaging G Protein-coupled Receptor-mediated Chemotaxis and its Signaling Events in Neutrophil-like HL60 Cells

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Assessment of Dictyostelium discoideum Response to Acute Mechanical Stimulation

Assessment of Dictyostelium discoideum Response to Acute Mechanical Stimulation

Published on: November 9, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Imaging G-protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR)-mediated Signaling Events that Control Chemotaxis of Dictyostelium Discoideum

Imaging G-protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR)-mediated Signaling Events that Control Chemotaxis of Dictyostelium Discoideum

Published on: September 20, 2011

Imaging G Protein-coupled Receptor-mediated Chemotaxis and its Signaling Events in Neutrophil-like HL60 Cells

Imaging G Protein-coupled Receptor-mediated Chemotaxis and its Signaling Events in Neutrophil-like HL60 Cells

Published on: September 14, 2016

Assessment of Dictyostelium discoideum Response to Acute Mechanical Stimulation

Assessment of Dictyostelium discoideum Response to Acute Mechanical Stimulation

Published on: November 9, 2017

Identified dynamic extension and retraction of cytoplasmic processes during random and directed migration.
Demonstrated pseudopodia formation at the leading edge is crucial for chemotaxis.
Highlighted the role of actin and myosin in enabling directed cell movement.

Conclusions:

Complex signaling networks orchestrate directed cell migration.
Understanding signaling molecule localization is key to deciphering cell movement mechanisms.