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Inchworm migration facilitates amoeboid cell adaptation to high-adhesion environments
Jinqiang Yu1, Wenbo Zhou2, Dongju Wang1
1State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing 100084, China; Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Beijing 100084, China; School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
Developmental Cell
|July 25, 2025
Summary
Cells adapt to sticky surfaces using "inchworm migration," a novel mode involving upright twisting and shedding adhesion molecules. This programmed response helps amoeboid cells navigate challenging, high-adhesion environments effectively.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Cells dynamically alter migration strategies based on environmental cues.
- Understanding cellular responses to highly adhesive surfaces is crucial for cell motility research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cellular adaptations to strongly adhesive environments.
- To identify novel migration modes and underlying mechanisms in amoeboid cells.
Main Methods:
- Observation of Dictyostelium discoideum cell behavior on sticky substrates.
- Analysis of cell morphology, movement patterns, and membrane shedding.
- Investigation of the role of cytokinesis machinery and migrasomes.
Main Results:
- Discovery of "inchworm migration," a new amoeboid migration subtype characterized by upright cell body posture and minimal surface contact.
- Identification of migrasome shedding containing adhesion molecules as a key mechanism for regulating adhesion.
- Repurposing of cytokinesis machinery for migration mode switching.
- Observation of similar inchworm migration in neutrophils, indicating broader applicability.
Conclusions:
- Strong adhesion triggers a programmed adaptive response, inchworm migration, in Dictyostelium discoideum.
- Selective shedding of membrane-bound molecules and adhesion receptors is critical for adapting migration modes.
- This mechanism allows amoeboid cells to effectively navigate and avoid immobilization on high-adhesion terrains.
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