Article Abstract:
Cell movement is a highly complex activity that requires the coordination of the cytoskeletal, membrane and adhesion systems of cells. Protrusion and traction are two subtypes of motility found in a wide variety of cells. Both are characterized by the involvement of actin filaments for force generation. These filaments are organized in arrays and held together by fimbrins inside protrusive structures called filopodia and lamellipodia. The organization of actin differs in many motile cells. Models for protrusion and traction force generation are included.
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Article Abstract:
Cell migration is crucial to the integration of molecular components in the cell such as adhesion molecules, ligands and linking proteins. It is also essential to several morphogenic processes such as neurology, immune response and metastasis. The ability to migrate is determined by the cells' spatial asymmetry and kinetic features such as the lamellipodia and filopodia. A connection between the biochemical signal transduction pathway and the attachments for locomotion is also required for cell migration.
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Article Abstract:
Researchers have investigated the role of a surface protein called thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (TRAP) in the development of sporozoites and their interactions with host cells. This involved disrupting the TRAP gene in P. berghei. It was established that TRAP-like molecules may be central elements of motility and invasion machineries of Apicomplexa, along with the parasite actin network. It is possible that TRAP may be involved in a capping-like process during cell invasion.
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