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Related Concept Videos

Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration01:32

Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration

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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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Polarity of the Cytoskeleton01:18

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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...
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Adaptability of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:12

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The cytoskeleton is a complex dynamic structure performing varied functions based on cellular requirements. The adaptability of the individual filaments in the cytoskeleton determines their ability to perform various functions within the cell. It can undergo rapid reorganization during processes like cell division or remain stable for several hours as in the interphase. The adaptability of these filaments depends on stringent regulatory mechanisms. The microfilament and microtubules of the...
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Cell Polarization by Rho Proteins01:21

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

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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....
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Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures01:32

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

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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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 24, 2026

Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets
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Conserved roles for cytoskeletal components in determining laterality.

Gary S McDowell1, Joan M Lemire2, Jean-Francois Paré2

  • 1Biology Department, and Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology, Tufts University, 200 Boston Avenue, Suite 4600, Medford, MA 02155-4243, USA. michael.levin@tufts.edu and Biology Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA.

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The frog embryo

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Probing the Roles of Physical Forces in Early Chick Embryonic Morphogenesis
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Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Left-right (LR) patterning is crucial for organ placement.
  • Early mechanisms of embryonic laterality are debated and poorly understood across diverse species.
  • Conservation of early LR patterning steps and potential redundant pathways remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the conservation of early left-right axis formation mechanisms.
  • To test conserved protein targets known to influence asymmetry in other model organisms.
  • To explore the role of the cytoskeleton in Xenopus laevis (frog) embryo laterality.

Main Methods:

  • Functional testing of protein targets in Xenopus laevis embryos.
  • Manipulation of microtubule and actin cytoskeleton post-fertilization.
  • Analysis of organ situs and gene expression patterns.

Main Results:

  • Cytoskeletal manipulation immediately post-fertilization caused laterality defects.
  • Observed organ-specific randomization and dissociation of organ situs from gene expression.
  • Demonstrated embryo's ability to rescue situs defects, indicating novel corrective mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • The cytoskeleton plays a conserved role in early left-right axis formation.
  • Asymmetric Nodal expression is not a definitive marker of laterality.
  • Suggests existence of pathways connecting cytoskeletal processes to organ situs, bypassing Nodal and highlighting redundancy in patterning.