Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 11, 2026
10:43
Methods to Study Mrp4-containing Macromolecular Complexes in the Regulation of Fibroblast Migration
Published on: May 19, 2016
Migration Stimulating Factor (MSF) promotes fibroblast migration by inhibiting AKT
Ian R Ellis1, Sarah J Jones, Yvonne Lindsay
1Unit of Cell and Molecular Biology, The Dental School, College of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, University of Dundee, Park Place, Dundee DD1 4HR, UK.
Cellular Signalling
|July 6, 2010
Summary
Migration Stimulating Factor (MSF) inhibits AKT activity, promoting cell migration. This study reveals MSF
Area of Science:
- Cellular biology
- Molecular biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The protein kinase AKT is activated by motogenic growth factors.
- AKT can inhibit cell migration in certain cell types.
- Migration Stimulating Factor (MSF) is a fibronectin fragment promoting cell migration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of MSF on AKT activity in human fibroblasts and endothelial cells.
- To determine the role of AKT inhibition in MSF-induced cell migration.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of human fibroblasts and endothelial cells with MSF.
- Assessment of AKT activity.
- Analysis of cell migration into 3D collagen gels.
- Use of AKT inhibitor (Akti-1/2) and inhibitor-resistant AKT1 W80A mutant.
Main Results:
- MSF treatment inhibited AKT activity in human fibroblasts and endothelial cells.
- Both MSF and the AKT inhibitor Akti-1/2 stimulated fibroblast migration into 3D collagen gels.
- The stimulatory effect of Akti-1/2 on migration was blocked by the AKT1 W80A mutant.
Conclusions:
- MSF promotes fibroblast migration, at least partially, by inhibiting AKT activity.
- These findings elucidate a novel mechanism for MSF-mediated cell migration.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Cell Migration
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.
01:09Cell 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.
01:18Role of Myosin in Cell Migration
Myosins are multimeric motor proteins involved in various cellular processes such as migration, adhesion, and proliferation. Myosin II is the most common type in animal cells, which binds and cross-links actin filaments.
Myosin II is a hexamer comprising two heavy chains with globular heads and coiled-coil tails, two regulatory light chains, and two essential light chains. The ATPase sites on the myosin heads hydrolyze ATP, and the released phosphate generates the force for contraction. It is...
Myosin II is a hexamer comprising two heavy chains with globular heads and coiled-coil tails, two regulatory light chains, and two essential light chains. The ATPase sites on the myosin heads hydrolyze ATP, and the released phosphate generates the force for contraction. It is...
01:07MAPK Signaling Cascades
Mitogen-activated protein kinase, or MAPK pathway, activates three sequential kinases to regulate cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. The canonical MAPK pathway starts with a mitogen or growth factor binding to an RTK. The activated RTKs stimulate Ras, which recruits Raf or MAP3 Kinase (MAPKKK), the first kinase of the MAPK signaling cascade. Raf further phosphorylates and activates MEK or MAP2 Kinases (MAPKK), which in turn phosphorylates MAP...
01:32Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration
A migrating cell changes its shape during the cyclic events of attachment and detachment from the substratum and repositions the cell organelles correspondingly. These complex events are orchestrated by the dynamic cytoskeletal network comprising actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Cytoskeletal crosstalk — the direct and indirect communication between the different components — is crucial for this coordination. Direct communication involves various linker proteins that...
01:19Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that can differentiate into most connective tissue cell types, except for hematopoietic cells, depending upon the source of MSCs. For example, bone-marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) can differentiate into osteocytes, hepatocytes, and pancreatic and neuronal cells. MSCs can be isolated from various sources such as bone marrow, placenta, adipose tissue, teeth, and Wharton’s jelly, a gelatinous substance in the umbilical cord. The ease of their access...