Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026
08:12
A Graphical User Interface for Software-assisted Tracking of Protein Concentration in Dynamic Cellular Protrusions
Published on: July 11, 2017
Notch signaling: filopodia dynamics confer robustness.
1Institute of Molecular Cell Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore. marco.milan@irbbarcelona.org
Current Biology : CB
|September 28, 2010
Summary
Notch-Delta signaling, typically between adjacent cells, can extend its reach via filopodia. Filopodia dynamics were found to enhance the reliability of Notch-Delta-driven cell patterning in a recent study.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Notch-Delta signaling is crucial for cell-cell communication.
- This signaling pathway typically operates over short distances between adjacent cells.
- Longer-range signaling mechanisms are less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of filopodia in Notch-Delta signaling.
- To determine how filopodia dynamics influence cell patterning.
- To understand the robustness conferred by filopodia-mediated signaling.
Main Methods:
- Utilized advanced microscopy techniques to observe filopodia dynamics.
- Developed computational models to simulate Notch-Delta signaling through filopodia.
- Analyzed cell patterning in response to varying filopodia behaviors.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that filopodia enable long-range Notch-Delta signal transmission.
- Showed that the dynamic behavior of filopodia is critical for signal propagation.
- Identified that filopodia dynamics confer robustness to Notch-Delta dependent patterning outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Filopodia act as conduits for extended Notch-Delta signaling.
- The dynamic nature of filopodia enhances the reliability of developmental patterning.
- This mechanism provides a novel perspective on cell-cell communication in biological systems.
Related Concept Videos
03:14Notch Signaling Pathway
The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
03:14Notch Signaling Pathway
The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
01:39Mechanism of Filopodia Formation
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...
01:31Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation
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...
01:12Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
01:12Adaptability of Cytoskeletal Filaments
The cytoskeleton is a complex dynamic structure performing varied functions based on cellular requirements. The adaptability of the individual filaments in the cytoskeleton determines their ability to perform various functions within the cell. It can undergo rapid reorganization during processes like cell division or remain stable for several hours as in the interphase. The adaptability of these filaments depends on stringent regulatory mechanisms. The microfilament and microtubules of the...