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Related Concept Videos

Microvilli00:55

Microvilli

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Microvilli are tiny finger-like projections found on the surface of certain cells. Their purpose is to increase the surface area of the cell's apical surface, resulting in more effective absorption or secretion of substances.
These microvilli are predominantly present in cells lining the small intestine, kidney tubules, and certain cells in the respiratory and reproductive systems. By significantly expanding the surface area of the cell membrane, microvilli enhance the cell's capacity...
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Intracellular bacteria and viruses often comprise a group of highly infectious pathogens that can cause several diseases. Bacterial pathogens include those belonging to the genus Rickettsia responsible for conditions such as rocky mountain spotted fever and the Mediterranean spotted fever; Chlamydia, a genus responsible for a sexually transmitted disease; Coxiella burnetii, an agent responsible for Q fever. Viral pathogens include vaccinia—a poxvirus, and herpes simplex virus—a...
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The Movement of Organelles and Vesicles01:43

The Movement of Organelles and Vesicles

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In eukaryotic cells,  cytoskeletal filaments such as actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments form a mesh-like cytoskeletal network. These filaments serve as tracks for transporting cellular cargo. Specialized motor proteins use the chemical energy stored in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for this transport. During interphase, microtubules are polarized, with the plus-end towards the cell periphery and the minus-end towards the cell center. Two microtubule-associated motor proteins,...
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Mechanism of Ciliary Motion01:05

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The ciliary structures were first seen in 1647 by Antonie Leeuwenhoek while observing the protozoans. In lower organisms, these appendages are responsible for cell movement, while in higher organisms, these appendages help in the movement of the extracellular fluids within the body cavities.
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Transcellular Transport of Solutes01:23

Transcellular Transport of Solutes

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Transcellular transport of solutes is the movement of substances like monosaccharides and amino acids through polarized cells. This transport mechanism is primarily seen in epithelial and endothelial cells aided by membrane transport proteins such as channels and transporters. The tight junctions between these cells confine the membrane proteins to the two sides of the cell. The epithelial cells have distinct apical and basolateral domains. In contrast, the endothelial cells show the luminal...
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Related Experiment Videos

Move your microvilli.

Robert S Fischer1

  • 1Cell Biology and Physiology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda MD, 20892 fischerr2@nhlbi.nih.gov.

The Journal of Cell Biology
|October 15, 2014
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

When epithelial cells lose polarity, their microvilli become motile due to actomyosin contractions. This finding offers new insights into epithelial cell behavior during wound healing and disease.

Related Experiment Videos

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Epithelial Biology
  • Wound Healing Research

Background:

  • Polarized epithelial cells possess apical microvilli crucial for function.
  • The behavior of microvilli during loss of epithelial polarity, such as in wound healing, is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the fate and behavior of microvilli in epithelial cells experiencing loss of polarity.
  • To understand the mechanisms driving microvillar changes during subconfluent conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Microscopy techniques to observe microvilli dynamics.
  • Analysis of actomyosin contractility in the apical cortex of epithelial cells.

Main Results:

  • Subconfluent epithelial cells exhibit motile microvilli on their apical surface.
  • Local actomyosin contractions within the apical cortex drive microvillar motility.

Conclusions:

  • Loss of epithelial polarity triggers microvillar motility via apical actomyosin contractions.
  • These findings may be significant for understanding epithelial responses in wound healing and disease pathogenesis.