The evolution and diversity of actin-dependent cell migration

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Biophysics

Background:

• Many eukaryotic cells, including animal cells and amoebae, utilize dynamic actin networks for crawling on solid surfaces.
• Recent findings reveal actin-dependent crawling in new lineages, increasing interest in its evolutionary history.
• Understanding the molecular mechanisms of cell motility is crucial for tracing the evolution of cell crawling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the diversity and evolution of molecular mechanisms driving cell motility.
• To focus on actin-dependent crawling and its diverse mechanical modes.
• To explore the potential common evolutionary origin of actin motility and cortical actin networks.

Main Methods:

• Review of classic and recent studies on actin-dependent cell crawling.
• Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying different modes of cell motility.
• Examination of actin network regulators and cortical actin networks.

Main Results:

• A surprising diversity of mechanical modes for actin-dependent crawling exists across different cell types and species.
• Overlap in actin network regulators suggests a shared evolutionary origin for actin motility and cortical actin networks.
• Emerging model systems, advanced imaging, and genetic tools facilitate new research avenues.

Conclusions:

• Actin-dependent crawling has evolved through various distinct mechanical strategies.
• Actin motility and cortical actin networks may share a common evolutionary origin.
• Future research using new technologies will further elucidate the evolution of cell crawling.