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Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration01:32

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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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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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Updated: Sep 14, 2025

Quantitative Analysis of Random Migration of Cells Using Time-lapse Video Microscopy
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Ras-mediated dynamic and biphasic regulation of cell migration.

Yiyan Lin1,2, Eleana Parajón1, Qinling Yuan3,4

  • 1Department of Cell Biology and Center for Cell Dynamics, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|July 22, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Ras signaling

Keywords:
Ras GTPasecell migrationcortical tension

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Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Molecular biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Ras proteins are traditionally viewed as promoting cell proliferation.
  • Recent studies suggest Ras signaling has a complex role in cell migration.
  • Understanding Ras's dual role in migration is crucial for therapeutic targeting.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the precise role of Ras signaling in cell migration dynamics.
  • To differentiate the effects of Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RasGEFs) and Ras GTPase-activating proteins (RasGAPs).
  • To examine the immediate, non-transcriptional impacts of Ras modulation on cell behavior.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic modulation of Ras activity using RasGEF and RasGAP proteins.
  • Optogenetic control of Ras signaling localization (local vs. global).
  • Assessment of cell migration dynamics, morphology, and cortical tension.

Main Results:

  • Local RasGEF activation promotes protrusions and guides migration.
  • Global RasGEF activation causes cell spreading and halts migration.
  • Local RasGAP activation suppresses protrusions and repels cells.
  • Global RasGAP activation inhibits migration or maintains polarity.
  • RasGEFs generally increase cortical tension; RasGAPs decrease it.

Conclusions:

  • Ras signaling exhibits a biphasic effect on cell migration.
  • Optimal Ras activity and cortical tension are essential for efficient cell migration.
  • Ras's role in migration is context-dependent on its activity level and localization.