Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine: http://www.expertreviews.org/
Accession information: (99)00063-0h.htm (shortcode: fig001cso); 4 May 1999
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Cell adhesion and cell migration

Christopher M. Sanderson and Geoffrey L. Smith

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Figure 1. Cell adhesion and cell migration. (a) The shape and behaviour of cells is determined by a complex series of dynamic interactions that are mediated by a heterogeneous population of transmembrane adhesion molecules. In addition to mediating cell–cell and cell–extracellular-matrix attachment, cell-adhesion molecules facilitate indirectly cytoskeletal–membrane interaction and signal-transduction processes, which control cell viability, cytoskeletal organisation, cell motility and receptor activation. (b) In many cases, cell motility is physically and biochemically restricted by cadherin-mediated cell–cell interactions. Disruption of these interactions enhances the motility of cells in vitro and contributes to the invasive nature of tumour cells in vivo. The sequential phases of cell movement in vitro include the induction of a well-defined front–rear polarity, which determines the direction of motility. Membrane extension at the front of the cell is mediated by the combined effects of actin polymerisation and actin movement mediated by myosin. Receptor proteins (such as integrins) that are inserted into the front of the cell bind to components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), thus preventing membrane retraction and providing adhesive traction for cell movement. The physical process of cell movement results from the retrograde flux of polymerised actin (and associated membrane receptors) and the cyclical flux of membrane from the rear to the front of the cell. The final stage of cell movement involves the disruption or severing of matrix attachments at the rear of the cell and retraction of the trailing edge of the cell (fig001cso).

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