Actomyosin forces in cell migration: Moving beyond cell body retraction

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Biophysics
• Mechanobiology

Background:

• Actomyosin contractility is traditionally viewed as solely responsible for cell retraction during migration.
• The molecular clutch model reveals actomyosin's dual role in generating force and transmitting biomechanical signals at the cell's leading edge.
• Cells navigate complex environments by sensing and responding to mechanical cues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the hierarchical assembly and self-regulatory network of the actomyosin system.
• To explain the synergistic kinetics of nonmuscle myosin II (NM II) paralogs in contractile force generation.
• To emphasize the spatiotemporal integration of cellular processes during migration.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of existing literature on actomyosin dynamics and cell migration.
• Analysis of the molecular clutch model and its implications.
• Hypothetical modeling of NM II paralog function in different migration modes.

Main Results:

• The actomyosin system forms a gradient of contractile energy along the cell's front-rear axis.
• The kinetics of different NM II paralogs are crucial for coordinated contractile force generation.
• Protrusion formation, adhesion, contraction, and retraction are integrated processes in cell migration.

Conclusions:

• Actomyosin contractility is essential for both force generation and mechanosensing in migrating cells.
• The interplay of NM II paralogs fine-tunes cell migration strategies, including chemotaxis and durotaxis.
• Understanding NM II paralog function offers insights into in vivo cell migration and potential therapeutic targets.