A role for actin arcs in the leading-edge advance of migrating cells
Author: ["Dylan T. Burnette","Suliana Manley","Prabuddha Sengupta","Rachid Sougrat","Michael W. Davidson","Bechara Kachar","Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz"]
Publication: Nature Cell Biology
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Abstract
Epithelial cell migration requires coordination of two actin modules at the leading edge: one in the lamellipodium and one in the lamella. How the two modules connect mechanistically to regulate directed edge motion is not understood. Using live-cell imaging and photoactivation approaches, we demonstrate that the actin network of the lamellipodium evolves spatio-temporally into the lamella. This occurs during the retraction phase of edge motion, when myosin II redistributes to the lamellipodial actin and condenses it into an actin arc parallel to the edge. The new actin arc moves rearward, slowing down at focal adhesions in the lamella. We propose that net edge extension occurs by nascent focal adhesions advancing the site at which new actin arcs slow down and form the base of the next protrusion event. The actin arc thereby serves as a structural element underlying the temporal and spatial connection between the lamellipodium and the lamella during directed cell motion. Actin condenses at the lamellipodium of migrating cells to form arc-like bundles parallel to the leading edge. During the retraction phase of the edge movement, these arcs are shown to be displaced towards the rear of the lamella, and their movement slows down when they join focal adhesions. Actin arcs thus provide a spatiotemporal connection between the lamellipodium and the lamella.
Cite this article
Burnette, D., Manley, S., Sengupta, P. et al. A role for actin arcs in the leading-edge advance of migrating cells. Nat Cell Biol 13, 371–382 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncb2205
