Cytoskeletal Dynamics in Cell Adhesion and Motility
Summary
The cytoskeleton comprises filamentous networks of actin, microtubules and intermediate filaments that endow cells with mechanical integrity, enable shape changes and power directed movement. At the leading edge of migrating cells, rapid polymerisation of actin filaments generates protrusive structures such as lamellipodia and filopodia, while coordinated disassembly at the rear facilitates retraction. These dynamic rearrangements are coupled to the extracellular matrix through specialised assemblies known as focal adhesions, which contain integrin receptors, scaffold proteins and signalling kinases. Microtubules deliver spatial cues and vesicular traffic to regulate adhesion turnover and directional persistence. Together, these cytoskeletal elements orchestrate processes as diverse as embryonic morphogenesis, immune surveillance and wound repair. Emerging studies reveal that mechanical forces and biochemical signals converge on cytoskeletal regulators to fine-tune adhesion strength and motile behaviour. Understanding this interplay holds promise for novel strategies in tissue engineering, anti-metastatic therapies and regenerative medicine.
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Cytoskeletal Dynamics in Cell Adhesion and Motility publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in cytoskeletal dynamics in cell adhesion and motility across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Cytoskeleton: A network of protein filaments (actin, microtubules, intermediate filaments) that determines cell shape, mechanical properties and motility.
Actin filament: Polarised polymer of actin monomers that drives membrane protrusion and contractile forces.
Microtubule: Hollow tube assembled from tubulin subunits, involved in intracellular transport and directional migration.
Focal adhesion: Multi-protein complex that links the cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix via integrins and transduces mechanical and chemical signals.
Integrin: Transmembrane receptor that binds ECM ligands and recruits cytoskeletal and signalling proteins into adhesion complexes.
Cryo-electron tomography: Imaging technique that captures three-dimensional structures of cellular components in their native, vitrified state at nanometre resolution.
Mechanosensing: Cellular ability to detect and respond to mechanical stimuli through conformational changes in proteins and cytoskeletal reorganisation.
Reflection interference contrast microscopy (RICM): Label‐free optical method for mapping cell–substrate contact areas by analysing interference patterns of reflected light.
References
- Three‐dimensional organization of the cytoskeleton: A cryo‐electron tomography perspective. Protein Science (2020).
- Purification and characterization of an F-actin-bundling 55-kilodalton protein from HeLa cells.. Journal of Biological Chemistry (1985).
- Investigating Cell-ECM Contact Changes in Response to Hypoosmotic Stimulation of Hepatocytes In Vivo with DW-RICM. PLOS ONE (2012).
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