AsianScientist (May 11, 2015) – Researchers have found molecular evidence that cell motility is regulated by a physical factor—membrane tension stress. This finding, published in Nature Cell Biology, is expected to have significant implications for treating infections and malignant tumors.
Led by Professor Toshiki Itoh, Assistant Professor Kazuya Tsujita and other researchers at the Kobe University Biosignal Research Center conducted studies using a cultured tumor cell line and showed that tension stress on the plasma membrane plays a major role in the regulation of cell motility. More specifically, this group showed that formin-binding protein-17 (FBP17), a protein known to bend the plasma membrane, acts as a tension sensor that mediates the direction of cell migration.
In the human body, cell motility is regulated to support immune homeostasis and growth. For example, when bacteria or viruses enter the body, macrophages, neutrophils and other immune cells identify, trace and eliminate them. During development, when a fertilized egg undergoes proliferation and differentiation, new cells migrate to the appropriate sites via strictly controlled mechanisms.
Disruption of the mechanisms regulating cell motility may be a key factor in cancer cell metastasis. Thus, elucidation of the mechanisms governing cell movement will be a critical step toward overcoming malignant tumors.
“We are promoting research from a less studied perspective to identify new approaches to cancer treatment,” said Itoh.
The article can be found at: Tsujita et al. (2015) Feedback Regulation Between Plasma Membrane Tension And Membrane-bending Proteins Organizes Cell Polarity During Leading Edge Formation.
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Source: Kobe University.
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