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Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility

Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility

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.

Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation

Mechanism 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...

Cell Motility through Blebbing

Cell Motility through Blebbing

Blebs are a type of membrane protrusion formed by the internal hydrostatic pressure of the cytoplasm. Blebs are observed in several cell types, including fibroblasts, immune cells, and single-celled organisms like the amoeba. The primary function of blebs is cell locomotion and apoptosis, but they are also found during necrosis and cell division. The life cycle of a bleb comprises an initiation phase followed by the expansion and retraction phases.
Blebbing Through the Matrix
In multicellular...

Mechanism of Filopodia Formation

Mechanism 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...

Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration

Cytoskeletal 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...

Generation of Straight or Branched Actin Filaments

Generation of Straight or Branched Actin Filaments

The straight or branched structure formation of actin filaments is controlled by nucleating proteins such as the formins and Arp2/3 complex. Formin-mediated assembly results in straight filaments, whereas Arp2/3 protein complex-mediated assembly results in branched actin filaments.
Arp2/3 Complex
Arp2/3 complex is a seven-subunit complex consisting of two proteins similar to actin- Arp2 and Arp3, and five other subunits that help keep Arp2 and Arp3 inactive. When required, the complex is...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Reconstitution of Actin-Based Motility with Commercially Available Proteins

Reconstitution of Actin-Based Motility with Commercially Available Proteins

Published on: October 28, 2022

Actin-based motility: WAVE regulatory complex structure reopens old SCARs.

Andrew J Davidson¹, Robert H Insall

¹CR-UK Beatson Institute, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK. A.Davidson@beatson.gla.ac.uk

Current Biology : CB

|January 25, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The Scar/Wave complex regulates cell movement by controlling actin polymerization. Its newly revealed crystal structure and regulator binding sites offer insights into its precise mechanism of action.

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Reconstitution of Actin-Based Motility with Commercially Available Proteins

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Published on: May 22, 2021

Area of Science:

Cell biology
Molecular mechanisms of cell motility
Actin dynamics

Background:

The Scar/Wave complex is crucial for actin polymerization at the cell's leading edge.
Its regulatory mechanisms are not fully understood, hindering a complete grasp of cell migration.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of the Scar/Wave complex.
To provide a structural basis for understanding Scar/Wave complex function in cell motility.

Main Methods:

X-ray crystallography to determine the crystal structure of the Scar/Wave complex.
Identification of binding sites for upstream regulatory factors.

Main Results:

The crystal structure of the Scar/Wave complex has been determined.
Key binding sites for upstream regulators have been identified, offering clues to its activation.

Conclusions:

Structural insights into the Scar/Wave complex pave the way for understanding its regulation.
This work provides a foundation for future studies on cell migration and related processes.