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Actomyosin forces in cell migration: Moving beyond cell body retraction.

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Summary

Cell migration relies on actomyosin contractility for both force generation and sensing mechanical cues. Different nonmuscle myosin II (NM II) paralogs work together to regulate cell movement and adaptation.

Keywords:
actomyosincell migrationchemotaxisdurotaxisintracellular force generationmechanotransductionnonmuscle myosin II

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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.