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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...
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Complex microtubule structures are present in resting cells and in dividing cells. In resting cells, they are responsible for maintaining the cellular architecture, tracks for intracellular transport, positioning of organelles, assembly of cilia and flagella. They mediate the bipolar spindle assembly for chromosomal segregation and positioning of the cell division plate in dividing cells. The formation of microtubule complex structures depends on the cell type, cell stage, and cell function.
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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...
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Neurulation is the embryological process which forms the precursors of the central nervous system and occurs after gastrulation has established the three primary cell layers of the embryo: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. In humans, the majority of this system is formed via primary neurulation, in which the central portion of the ectoderm—originally appearing as a flat sheet of cells—folds upwards and inwards, sealing off to form a hollow neural tube. As development proceeds, the...
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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.
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Cytoskeletal self-organization in neuromorphogenesis.

Leif Dehmelt1

  • 1Department of Systemic Cell Biology; Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology; Dortmund, Germany; Fakultät für Chemie und Chemische Biologie; Dortmund University of Technology; Dortmund, Germany.

Bioarchitecture
|May 23, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Researchers observed how dynein motors and microtubules reorganize within cells. Stationary dynein complexes facilitate microtubule transport, offering insights into cellular morphogenesis and neuronal protrusion formation.

Keywords:
cellular morphogenesiscortical dyneincytoplasmic dyneinmicrotubulesneuriteneuromorphogenesisself-organization

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Cytoskeleton Dynamics
  • Molecular Motors

Background:

  • Microtubule self-organization is crucial for cell division (spindle formation).
  • Mechanisms of microtubule involvement in other cellular processes like neuronal morphogenesis are less understood.
  • Neuronal microtubule stabilizer MAP2c induces significant microtubule reorganization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular mechanism behind MAP2c-induced microtubule reorganization in non-neuronal cells.
  • To elucidate the role of cortical dynein complexes in microtubule dynamics and transport.

Main Methods:

  • Direct observation of cortical dynein complexes in living cells.
  • Analysis of microtubule dynamics and interactions with motor proteins.

Main Results:

  • Stationary dynein complexes transiently associate with motile microtubules at the cell cortex.
  • This interaction and rapid turnover facilitate efficient microtubule transport.
  • Findings shed light on microtubule self-organization principles.

Conclusions:

  • Dynein motor activity is key to microtubule reorganization and transport.
  • These mechanisms contribute to understanding cellular morphogenesis, including neuronal protrusions.
  • The study highlights self-organizing principles in generating cellular shape patterns.