Actin, microtubules and focal adhesion dynamics during cell migration

B Wehrle-Haller, BA Imhof - The international journal of biochemistry & cell …, 2003 - Elsevier
B Wehrle-Haller, BA Imhof
The international journal of biochemistry & cell biology, 2003Elsevier
Cell migration is a complex cellular behavior that results from the coordinated changes in
the actin cytoskeleton and the controlled formation and dispersal of cell-substrate adhesion
sites. While the actin cytoskeleton provides the driving force at the cell front, the microtubule
network assumes a regulatory function in coordinating rear retraction. The polarity within
migrating cells is further highlighted by the stationary behavior of focal adhesions in the front
and their sliding in trailing ends. We discuss here the cross-talk of the actin cytoskeleton with …
Cell migration is a complex cellular behavior that results from the coordinated changes in the actin cytoskeleton and the controlled formation and dispersal of cell-substrate adhesion sites. While the actin cytoskeleton provides the driving force at the cell front, the microtubule network assumes a regulatory function in coordinating rear retraction. The polarity within migrating cells is further highlighted by the stationary behavior of focal adhesions in the front and their sliding in trailing ends. We discuss here the cross-talk of the actin cytoskeleton with the microtubule network and the potential mechanisms that control the differential behavior of focal adhesions sites during cell migration.
Elsevier