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Related Concept Videos

Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility01:13

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.
Cell Polarization by Rho Proteins01:21

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,...
Role of Myosin in Cell Migration01:18

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 Motility through Blebbing01:16

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...
Cell Migration01:09

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 Migration01:19

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.

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Measuring Cell-Edge Protrusion Dynamics during Spreading using Live-Cell Microscopy
05:50

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Published on: November 1, 2021

Actin depolymerization-based force retracts the cell rear in polarizing and migrating cells.

Tayamika Mseka1, Louise P Cramer

  • 1MRC-Laboratory Molecular Cell Biology and Department Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK.

Current Biology : CB
|December 6, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Actin filament depolymerization, not myosin II, drives cell rear retraction during migration. This discovery reveals a new mechanism for cell polarization and movement, independent of myosin II contractility.

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Measuring Cell-Edge Protrusion Dynamics during Spreading using Live-Cell Microscopy
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Published on: November 1, 2021

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Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Biophysics
  • Molecular motors

Background:

  • Myosin II contractility's role in cell rear retraction is debated.
  • Actin organization is crucial for cell polarization but its direct role in rear retraction is unclear.
  • Alternative mechanisms like major sperm protein depolymerization exist in some cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the direct role of actin filament depolymerization in cell rear retraction.
  • To determine if myosin II contractility directly drives rear retraction or is only needed for actin organization.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of cell polarization in migrating fibroblasts.

Main Methods:

  • High temporal resolution imaging of polarizing fibroblasts.
  • Perturbation of actin organization and myosin II contractility.
  • Analysis of cell rear margin dynamics during migration.

Main Results:

  • Actin filament depolymerization directly drives cell rear retraction.
  • This process accounts for most rear retraction during established migration.
  • Myosin II is essential for initial actin bundle formation and later maintenance for front protrusion.

Conclusions:

  • A novel mechanism of cell polarization is proposed: actin depolymerization-driven rear retraction.
  • Myosin II contractility is not directly involved in driving rear retraction.
  • Actin dynamics play a dual role in cell migration: rear retraction and front protrusion.