A critical role for the polarization of membrane recycling in cell motility

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the proposition that the insertion of membrane mass into the leading edge of a motile cell plays a critical role in directed cell migration. We show by immunofluorescence, with cells transfected with a cloned cDNA encoding the G-protein of a temperature-sensitive mutant of vesicular stomatitis virus, that the first cell surface appearance of the G-protein is indeed at the leading edge of the motile cell. Two drugs capable of inhibiting directed cell migration, cytochalasin D and monensin, appear to function independently, the former by affecting the actin cytoskeleton without affecting the polarized insertion of membrane mass into the cell surface and the latter by abrogating membrane mass insertion without affecting the actin cytoskeleton.

Cell Polarity as a Regulator of Cancer Cell Behavior Plasticity

“…Golgi fragmentation does not significantly affect general vesicle transport but significantly impairs polarized secretion of VSVG particles to the apical membrane (Yadav et al 2009). In migrating cells, the MTOC and the Golgi complex orient toward the direction of migration (Kupfer et al 1987) (Figure 3 b ). This directional orientation facilitates the polarized, microtubule-dependent exocytosis toward the cell membranes at the leading edge of migrating cells (Schmoranzer et al 2003).…”

Fluorescence‐based quantitative scratch wound healing assay demonstrating the role of MAPKAPK‐2/3 in fibroblast migration

“…When scratches made using steel scalpel and plastic pipette tip were analyzed in parallel, the calculated migration indices do not show any significant difference (Supplementary Figure), indicating that reestablishment of the extracellular matrix in the scratch area is not a rate limiting factor in this assay. The inhibitory effect of cytochalasin D on cell migration is well known for many years [Kupfer et al, 1987] and is mainly based on its actin filament capping properties [Mousa et al, 1978]. We used different concentrations of Cytochalasin D and followed scratch wound healing for different times (Fig.…”

Cell Biology of Cytotoxic and Helper T Cell Functions: Immunofluorescence Microscopic Studies of Single Cells and Cell Couples

“…The answer we found (10,11) is that the Golgi apparatus (GA) inside the cell undergoes a reorientation to face the region of the cell surface that is to become the leading edge, within minutes after receipt of a polarized signal to move. Reorientation of the GA in a particular direction apparently ensures that vesicular traffic derived fr om the GA is delivered to that region of the plasma membrane apposed to the GA (9,13). The vesicular membrane mass is thereby introduced into the cell membrane and the secretory contents of the vesicles are simultaneously released to the cell exterior (12).…”