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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.

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.
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Cell Polarization by Rho Proteins

Cell Polarization by Rho Proteins

Cell polarity is the asymmetric distribution of cellular and membrane components, making one side of the cell different from the other. This polarity is essential to many processes such as embryogenesis, axon migration, glucose transport across epithelial cells, and directional cell migration. A migrating cell responds to intracellular or extracellular signals via molecular cascades that reorganize the actin cytoskeleton to establish this polarity. In these cells, the Rho family proteins Cdc42,...

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...

Chemotaxis and Direction of Cell Migration

Chemotaxis and Direction of Cell Migration

Cells can detect chemical cues in their environment and reorganize the cytoskeleton to migrate toward them or away from them. This directional migration, called chemotaxis, is essential during embryogenesis and development, immune response, tissue repair and regeneration, and reproduction. These chemical cues can either attract or repel the cell's movement. For example, axon development is determined by a combination of chemoattractants and chemorepellents that direct the growing axon towards...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Quantitative Analysis of Random Migration of Cells Using Time-lapse Video Microscopy

Quantitative Analysis of Random Migration of Cells Using Time-lapse Video Microscopy

Published on: May 13, 2012

Signaling pathways that control cell migration: models and analysis.

Erik S Welf¹, Jason M Haugh

¹Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. Systems Biology and Medicine

|February 10, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Computational modeling aids understanding of eukaryotic cell motility by analyzing signaling pathways, actin cytoskeleton regulation, and focal adhesion dynamics. Future work requires integrating these modules for a complete picture of cell migration.

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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

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Quantitative Analysis of Random Migration of Cells Using Time-lapse Video Microscopy

Quantitative Analysis of Random Migration of Cells Using Time-lapse Video Microscopy

Published on: May 13, 2012

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

Area of Science:

Cellular biology
Biophysics
Computational modeling

Background:

Cellular movement is complex, involving numerous molecular players and dynamic biochemical/mechanical regulation.
Understanding the interplay between cell physical properties and biochemical pathways is crucial for controlling cell motility.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent quantitative modeling and analysis applications in eukaryotic cell migration.
To highlight key modules in cell motility: signaling polarization, actin cytoskeleton regulation, and focal adhesion dynamics.

Main Methods:

Review of recent quantitative modeling and analysis studies.
Focus on a reductionist approach to analyze principal modules of cell migration.
Examination of spatial signaling pathways, actin cytoskeleton, and focal adhesions.

Main Results:

Computational modeling provides insights into the coupling of physical properties and biochemical pathways in cell motility.
Reductionist analysis of key modules (signaling, cytoskeleton, adhesions) is a valuable approach.
The challenge lies in integrating these modules into a cohesive framework.

Conclusions:

Quantitative modeling is essential for dissecting complex cell migration mechanisms.
An integrated framework is needed to understand the couplings between different modules of cell motility.
Future research should focus on connecting these subsystems for a holistic view of cell migration.