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Related Concept Videos

Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration01:32

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...
Mechanism of Filopodia Formation01:39

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...
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.
Polarity of the Cytoskeleton01:18

Polarity of the Cytoskeleton

The intrinsic polarity of cells can be primarily attributed to two factors- i) the asymmetric accumulation of mobile components such are regulatory molecules and subcellular components across the cell and ii) the orientation of polar cytoskeletal filaments that make up the cytoskeletal networks, specifically microfilaments, and microtubules arranged along the axis of polarity. Interactions between the cytoskeletal filaments are crucial for the establishment and maintenance of the polar nature...
Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:18

Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments

Cytoskeletal filaments are polymeric forms of smaller protein subunits. However, individual cytoskeletal filaments may easily disassemble or associate with other similar filaments to form rigid structures. Microfilaments, made of actin monomers, rely on actin-binding proteins to form bundles and create networks of individual actin filaments. Microtubules rely on microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) to form sturdy cylindrical structures. However, the proteins involved in forming complex...
Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation01:31

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...

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Updated: May 18, 2026

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
08:49

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids

Published on: June 23, 2022

Directed cytoskeleton self-organization.

Timothée Vignaud1, Laurent Blanchoin, Manuel Théry

  • 1Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Institut de Recherche en Technologies et Sciences pour le Vivant, CNRS/UJF/INRA/CEA, 17 Rue des Martyrs, 38054, Grenoble, France.

Trends in Cell Biology
|October 3, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cellular cytoskeleton structures self-organize based on physical boundary interactions. Understanding these rules, from molecules to tissues, reveals fundamental principles of cell architecture and function.

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Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets
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Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets

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Last Updated: May 18, 2026

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
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Published on: June 23, 2022

Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets
10:52

Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets

Published on: August 13, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Biomaterials

Background:

  • Cytoskeleton architecture is crucial for cellular functions and varies across cell types and cycles.
  • Cytoskeleton networks exhibit complex intracellular structures that are not spontaneous.
  • These structures arise from self-organization properties interacting with spatial boundary conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the principles governing cytoskeleton self-organization.
  • To explain how spatial boundaries influence cytoskeleton assembly.
  • To detail the identification of rules for cytoskeleton assembly from molecular to tissue levels.

Main Methods:

  • Reviewing experimental manipulation of spatial boundaries using microfabrication.
  • Examining complementary approaches including in vitro reconstruction and in vivo observation.
  • Focusing on methods that control geometric conditions to study cytoskeleton self-organization.

Main Results:

  • Local effects at spatial boundaries (anchoring, repulsion, alignment) propagate to guide large-scale network assembly.
  • Microfabrication techniques reveal physical processes directing cytoskeleton self-organization.
  • Controlling geometric conditions provides insights into fundamental organizing principles.

Conclusions:

  • Cytoskeleton self-organization is governed by the interplay of intrinsic properties and spatial boundaries.
  • Understanding these organizing principles is key to comprehending cellular structure and function.
  • Multiscale approaches, from molecular to tissue levels, are essential for elucidating cytoskeleton assembly rules.