Cell Migration and Invasion by Dr. Anke Brüning-Richardson

Flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on cell migration and invasion, including mechanisms, roles, and implications in health and cancer.

What is the fundamental process that involves the movement of cells throughout evolution?

Cell migration.

What specialized structures do some prokaryotes use for directional movement?

Flagellae.

What response do unicellular eukaryotes like amoebae exhibit while searching for food?

Chemotaxis.

What are the consequences of altered migratory patterns in specific cell types?

They can underlie diseases, like autoimmune diseases.

How does cancer relate to cell migration?

Cell migration is crucial for cancer invasion and metastasis.

What cellular process can lead to the failure of regenerative therapies involving stem cells?

Lack of migration.

Name two key processes in which cell migration plays a vital role during development.

Tissue morphogenesis and regeneration.

List two modes of cell migration.

Amoeboid and mesenchymal.

What do chemokines influence in immune cell migration?

T cell migration.

What role do adhesion molecules play in cell migration?

They facilitate cell attachment to the extracellular matrix.

What is the process of wound healing primarily reliant on?

Cell migration.

What is metastasis in terms of cancer?

The movement of cancer cells from the primary tumor to another site.

What is the primary function of actin in cell migration?

To facilitate cell movement through cytoskeletal reorganization.

What are F-actin and G-actin?

F-actin is polymeric fibrous actin, while G-actin is monomeric globular actin.

What role does the ARP complex play in actin dynamics?

It nucleates new actin filament branches.

What are lamellipodia and filopodia?

Types of protrusions at the leading edge of migrating cells.

What drives the crawling movement of cells?

Reorganization and turnover of the actin cytoskeleton.

What happens at the leading edge during cell migration?

Protrusion occurs through actin polymerization.

What stabilizes F-actin at its plus end?

Cap Z.

What role do focal adhesions play in cell migration?

They link intracellular actin cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix.

What is a major transition point in microtubule dynamics?

Catastrophe.

What are the components of microtubules?

Dimers of α- and β-tubulin.

Which cellular structure organizes microtubules during migration?

Microtubule-organizing center (MTOC).

What type of migration involves a high level of adhesion and contractility?

Mesenchymal migration.

What are the three main types of actin-driven protrusions?

Lamelipodia, filopodia, and blebs.

During 2D migration, what is the relationship between speed and stress exerted on the substrate?

A bell curve is observed.

What defines amoeboid migration compared to mesenchymal migration?

Amoeboid migration is characterized by low adhesion and contractility.

How does extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling affect 3D migration?

Cells adapt to mechanical features of the ECM for migration.

What is collective cell migration?

A mode of migration where cells move together as a group.

How does the cytoskeletal arrangement differ in a polarized fibroblast during migration?

It includes diagonal actin filament meshwork and stress fibers.

What are microtubules' roles in cellular migration?

To assist in directional migration and cell polarization.

What challenges do cells face during 3D migration?

Navigating through diverse ECM environments and overcoming extracellular barriers.

What enables a cell to exert directed vesicular transport during migration?

Stabilization of microtubule plus ends near the leading edge.

How do actin and microtubules coordinate during cell migration?

They reorganize to facilitate movement.

What is the name given to the mechanical links formed between actin bundles and the ECM?

Focal adhesions.

What are some factors influencing immune cell migration in tumors?

Chemokines, adhesion molecules, and oxygen levels.

In cell migration, what does detachment of the trailing end involve?

Deadhesion at the trailing edge.

What is the effect of aberrant vasculature on T cell migration?

It can hinder the proper infiltration of T cells into tissues.

What main cellular proteins are involved in cell migration?

Actin, microtubules, and focal adhesions.