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Related Concept Videos

Cell Migration01:09

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Cell migration, the process by which cells move from one location to another, is essential for the proper development and viability of organisms throughout their life. When cells are not able to migrate properly to their ordained locations, various disorders may occur. For example, disruption in cell migration causes chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.
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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.
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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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Cells migrating in response to external stimuli form lamellipodia, which are thin membrane protrusions supported by a mesh of linked, branched, or unbranched actin filaments. These actin filaments interact with myosin motor proteins, creating the dynamic actomyosin complex within the cytoskeleton. Contractility, or the ability to generate contractile stress, is inherent to the actomyosin complex. It helps cells detect the stiffness of the surrounding ECM and exert contractile force for...
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Methods to Study Mrp4-containing Macromolecular Complexes in the Regulation of Fibroblast Migration
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The Arp2/3 complex enhances cell migration on elastic substrates.

Devin B Mair1, Ceylin Elmasli2, June Hyung Kim3

  • 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205.

Molecular Biology of the Cell
|March 29, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The Arp2/3 complex aids cell migration on soft surfaces by creating lamellipodia that spread force and strengthen cell-adhesion, improving movement and potentially contributing to cancer invasion.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Biophysics
  • Cancer research

Background:

  • Cell migration is crucial for development and disease, like cancer metastasis.
  • The Arp2/3 complex is vital for neural progenitor cell migration on soft but not stiff surfaces.
  • The mechanism behind Arp2/3 complex's role in soft substrate migration remained unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanism by which the Arp2/3 complex facilitates cell migration on soft surfaces.
  • To investigate the mechanical advantages conferred by Arp2/3 complex-dependent structures.

Main Methods:

  • Integration of computational and experimental approaches.
  • Analysis of actin network formation and focal adhesion dynamics.
  • Assessment of cell migration on soft elastic substrates.

Main Results:

  • Arp2/3 complex-nucleated lamellipodia distribute forces over a wider area, reducing substrate stress.
  • Parallel focal adhesions within lamellipodia enhance cell-substrate interaction by compensating for adhesion failure.
  • These factors collectively improve migratory ability on soft substrates via lamellipodia-dependent mesenchymal migration.

Conclusions:

  • Arp2/3 complex-dependent lamellipodia provide significant mechanical advantages for cell migration on soft 2D substrates.
  • These advantages, including reduced stress and prolonged adhesion, enhance migratory capacity.
  • The findings suggest a role for Arp2/3 complex in the invasive potential of cells like gliomas.