Small GTPases orchestrate cell-cell communication during collective cell movement.

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Physiology

Background:

• Collective cell migration is crucial for physiological and pathological processes, including angiogenesis and metastasis.
• This coordinated movement depends on cell-cell communication, which is not fully understood.
• Emerging evidence suggests acto-myosin cytoskeleton tension transmitted through adherens junctions mediates this communication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current understanding of how small GTPases regulate cell-cell communication during collective cell migration.
• To explore the role of Rho and Rab family GTPases in controlling collective cell motion.
• To highlight the significance of cell-cell communication and RhoGTPases in endothelial cell migration during angiogenesis.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on small GTPases (Rho and Rab families) and their regulation.
• Analysis of mechanisms of acto-myosin tension transmission in collective cell migration.
• Discussion of experimental findings related to cell-cell communication in angiogenesis.

Main Results:

• Small GTPases of the Rho and Rab families are critical regulators of collective cell migration.
• These GTPases are regulated and, in turn, control cell-cell communication through mechanisms involving acto-myosin tension.
• Cell-cell communication and RhoGTPases play a vital role in endothelial cell migration during angiogenesis.

Conclusions:

• Acto-myosin tension transmission via adherens junctions is a key mechanism for cell-cell communication in collective migration.
• Small GTPases are central regulators, linking cytoskeletal dynamics to cell-cell communication.
• Further understanding of these pathways is essential for addressing diseases involving aberrant cell migration, such as cancer metastasis and vascular disorders.