Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026
10:50
Nanopodia - Thin, Fragile Membrane Projections with Roles in Cell Movement and Intercellular Interactions
Published on: April 3, 2014
9.8K
Filopodia: molecular architecture and cellular functions.
Pieta K Mattila1, Pekka Lappalainen
1Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PX, UK.
Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology
|May 10, 2008
Summary
Filopodia, essential cell antennae, guide migration and development. Their formation relies on regulated actin filament dynamics and associated proteins, offering insights into cellular processes.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Filopodia are dynamic, actin-rich cell protrusions.
- They act as cellular sensors, crucial for cell migration, neurite outgrowth, and wound healing.
- Filopodia are precursors to dendritic spines in neurons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanisms of filopodia formation.
- To understand the role of actin filament dynamics in filopodia initiation and elongation.
- To investigate the contribution of actin-associated proteins to filopodia development.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of actin polymerization, convergence, and crosslinking.
- Investigation of actin-associated protein functions.
- Studies across distinct cell types to compare filopodia formation.
Main Results:
- Filopodia formation is dependent on precisely regulated actin filament dynamics.
- Specific actin-associated proteins play key roles in filopodia initiation and elongation.
- Mechanisms of filopodia formation vary across different cell types.
Conclusions:
- Actin dynamics and associated proteins are critical for filopodia formation and function.
- Understanding these mechanisms provides insights into cellular processes like migration and development.
- Further research on actin-associated proteins can reveal novel therapeutic targets.
Related Concept Videos
01:09Cell Migration
16.6K
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.
16.6K
01:19Cell Migration
6.1K
Cell migration is a process by which the cells move from one location to another, playing an essential role in embryological development, repair and regeneration, immune response, and metastasis. Cells migrate in response to chemical or mechanical signals generated by specific organs or tissues. The overall mechanism includes three steps - polarization, protrusion, and release. Polarization involves the formation of a distinct cell front and rear, which determines the direction of movement.
6.1K
01:13Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility
5.8K
Actin is a family of globular proteins that are highly abundant in eukaryotic cells. It makes up approximately 1-5% of total cell protein concentration. Actin monomers polymerize to form a complex network of polarized filaments, the actin cytoskeleton, that plays a crucial role in many cellular processes, including cell motility, division, endocytosis, and metastasis of cancer cells.
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate....
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate....
5.8K
01:39Mechanism of Filopodia Formation
2.5K
Filopodia are thin, actin-rich cellular protrusions that play an important role in many fundamental cellular functions. They vary in their occurrence, length, and positioning in different cell types, suggesting their diverse roles.
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
2.5K
01:31Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation
3.1K
Cells migrating in response to external stimuli form lamellipodia, which are thin membrane protrusions supported by a mesh of linked, branched, or unbranched actin filaments. These actin filaments interact with myosin motor proteins, creating the dynamic actomyosin complex within the cytoskeleton. Contractility, or the ability to generate contractile stress, is inherent to the actomyosin complex. It helps cells detect the stiffness of the surrounding ECM and exert contractile force for...
3.1K
01:28Types of Membrane Protrusions
3.0K
The protrusion of the cell surface is an initial step for several cellular processes, including cell migration, phagocytosis, and neurite outgrowth. These membrane protrusions are a result of cytoskeletal rearrangement. The most widely observed cell protrusions include lamellipodia, pseudopodia, filopodia, microvilli, invadopodia, and podosomes. These protrusions can be of two types — static or dynamic.
The microvilli, an example of stable protrusions, are finger-like projections...
The microvilli, an example of stable protrusions, are finger-like projections...
3.0K