Biotecnologia e Biomateriais

Abstrato

Role of Focal Adhesions in Lamellipodia Dynamics

Yongwan Kim and Myeong Gu Yeo

Focal adhesions (FAs) are multi-protein structures containing integrin that serve as a focal point for the association between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and actin cytoskeleton. After cells adhere to the ECM, the cell membrane forms filopodia and lamellipodia. Cells deficient in FA complexes show reduced lamellipodia dynamics and this deficiency influences cell migration. Lamellipodia dynamics have distinguishable stages of lamellipodia protrusion, retraction, and persistence. Particularly, cells with decreasing or absent FA formation commonly show longer persistence time as analyzed using computer-assisted stroboscopic analysis. These results indicate that after cells adhere to the substratum, the reduced lamellipodia dynamics associated with defective FA formation influences cell motility.