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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...

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Cell Migration

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Exocytosis

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Exocytosis is used to release material from cells. Like other bulk transport mechanisms, exocytosis requires energy.

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Updated: May 28, 2026

Quantifying Spatiotemporal Parameters of Cellular Exocytosis in Micropatterned Cells

Quantifying Spatiotemporal Parameters of Cellular Exocytosis in Micropatterned Cells

Published on: September 16, 2020

The exocyst complex in exocytosis and cell migration.

Jianglan Liu¹, Wei Guo

¹Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

|October 15, 2011

Summary

The exocyst complex, crucial for exocytosis, also regulates cell migration and tumor invasion. This review details its molecular functions in secretion and emerging roles in cell motility.

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Exocytosis is a key cellular process for secreting molecules and integrating proteins into the plasma membrane.
The exocyst complex is an evolutionarily conserved octameric protein assembly essential for targeted exocytosis.
The exocyst mediates polarized exocytosis in processes like yeast budding, epithelial polarity, and neurite outgrowth.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the molecular and structural aspects of the exocyst complex.
To discuss the established roles of the exocyst in exocytosis across different cell types.
To explore the recently identified functions of the exocyst in cell migration and tumor invasion.

Main Methods:

Literature review of exocyst complex research.
Analysis of studies on exocyst function in exocytosis.

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Last Updated: May 28, 2026

Quantifying Spatiotemporal Parameters of Cellular Exocytosis in Micropatterned Cells

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Published on: September 16, 2020

Measuring Cell-Edge Protrusion Dynamics during Spreading using Live-Cell Microscopy

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Imaging FITC-dextran as a Reporter for Regulated Exocytosis

Imaging FITC-dextran as a Reporter for Regulated Exocytosis

Published on: June 20, 2018

Examination of research on exocyst involvement in cell migration and invasion.

Main Results:

The exocyst complex is vital for the precise targeting of secretory vesicles during exocytosis.
Exocyst functions are critical for polarized cellular processes.
Emerging evidence links the exocyst to cell migration and tumor cell invasion independently of its exocytic role.

Conclusions:

The exocyst complex has multifaceted roles beyond exocytosis.
Understanding the exocyst's non-canonical functions is crucial for fields like cancer research.
Further investigation into the exocyst's mechanisms in cell migration and invasion is warranted.