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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

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.

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...

Overview of Cell Signaling

Overview of Cell Signaling

Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate with the environment.
Cells respond to many types of information, often through receptor proteins positioned on the membrane. For example, skin cells respond to and transmit touch...

Role of Myosin in Cell Migration

Role 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...

Cell-surface Signaling

Cell-surface Signaling

Hormones—or any molecule that binds to a receptor, known as a ligand—that are lipid-insoluble (water-soluble) are not able to diffuse across the cell membrane. In order to be able to affect a cell without entering it, these hormones bind to receptors on the cell membrane. When a first messenger, a hormone, binds to a receptor, a signal cascade is set off, causing second messengers, proteins inside the cell, to become activated, resulting in downstream effects.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Analysis of Cell Migration within a Three-dimensional Collagen Matrix

Analysis of Cell Migration within a Three-dimensional Collagen Matrix

Published on: October 5, 2014

Estrogen stimulation of cell migration involves multiple signaling pathway interactions.

Yan Li¹, Ji-Ping Wang, Richard J Santen

¹Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Health Sciences System, Virginia 22908, USA.

|September 24, 2010

Summary

Estradiol (E2) promotes breast cancer cell migration through interacting signaling pathways including MAPK and PI3K. Targeting these pathways, involving FAK, paxillin, and c-Src, may block cancer metastasis.

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Last Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Analysis of Cell Migration within a Three-dimensional Collagen Matrix

Analysis of Cell Migration within a Three-dimensional Collagen Matrix

Published on: October 5, 2014

Using the Dot Assay to Analyze Migration of Cell Sheets

Using the Dot Assay to Analyze Migration of Cell Sheets

Published on: December 5, 2017

A Quantitative Evaluation of Cell Migration by the Phagokinetic Track Motility Assay

A Quantitative Evaluation of Cell Migration by the Phagokinetic Track Motility Assay

Published on: December 4, 2012

Area of Science:

Oncology
Cell Biology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Hormone-dependent breast cancers regress with estrogen synthesis or action inhibitors.
Estrogen's role in metastasis may differ from tumor regression.
Cell migration is crucial for cancer metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the molecular mechanisms of estradiol (E2)-induced breast cancer cell migration.
To identify key signaling pathways and proteins involved in E2-mediated cell migration.

Main Methods:

Developed and validated a robust cell migration assay.
Examined the activation of signaling pathways (c-Src, FAK, paxillin, ERK, Akt) in response to E2.
Utilized small interfering RNA and specific inhibitors to block signaling components and assess cell migration.

Main Results:

E2 induced rapid and sustained activation of c-Src, FAK, and paxillin.
ERK and Akt phosphorylation showed only early peaks.
Blocking key signaling pathways demonstrated their mechanistic role in E2-induced cell migration.

Conclusions:

E2-induced breast cancer cell migration involves multiple interacting signaling pathways.
MAPK, PI3K, and JNK pathways, utilizing FAK, paxillin, and c-Src, are critical mediators.
These pathways represent potential therapeutic targets for inhibiting breast cancer metastasis.