[FRET-based biosensors in cell migration research]

Cell migration is a complicated process, which is crucial for functioning of multicellular organisms. Multiple signalling pathways are deeply involved in the precise control of consecutive cell migration stages based on remodelling of the actin cytoskeleton. Small Rho GTPases (RhoA, Rac1 and Cdc42) as well as multiple protein and lipid kinases, calcium ions and mechanosensors are crucial components in this process. Exploration of those complicated correlations is possible with constant advancement of fluorescence microscopy. A significant progress in this field has been achieved since discovery of fluorescent proteins and subsequently FRET-based biosensors. Such protein constructs react with a change of FRET efficiency in response to the particular protein activity change. Properly designed and regularly improved biosensors offer the possibility of real-time imaging of signalling pathways dynamics in migrating cells. The perception of Rho GTPases involvement and some other signalling pathways connected with cell migration have been clarified with multiple experiments already carried out with such FRET-based biosensors.