TY - JOUR
T1 - Actin dynamics at sites of extracellular matrix degradation
AU - Baldassarre, Massimiliano
AU - Ayala, Inmaculada
AU - Beznoussenko, Galina
AU - Giacchetti, Giada
AU - Machesky, Laura M.
AU - Luini, Alberto
AU - Buccione, Roberto
PY - 2006/12/7
Y1 - 2006/12/7
N2 - The degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) by proteases is crucial in physiological and pathological cell invasion alike. In vitro, degradation occurs at specific sites where invasive cells make contact with the ECM via specialized plasma membrane protrusions termed invadopodia. Here we present an extensive morpho-functional analysis of invadopodia actively engaged in ECM degradation and show that they are actin comet-based structures, not unlike the well-known bacteria-propelling actin tails. The relative mapping of the basic molecular components of invadopodia to actin tails is also provided. Finally, a live-imaging analysis of invadopodia highlights the intrinsic long-term stability of the structures coupled to a highly dynamic actin turnover. The results offer new insight into the tight coordination between signalling, actin remodelling and trafficking activities occurring at sites of focalized ECM degradation by invadopodia. In conclusion, invadopodia-associated actin comets are a striking example of consistently arising, spontaneous expression of actin-driven propulsion events that also represent a valuable experimental paradigm.
AB - The degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) by proteases is crucial in physiological and pathological cell invasion alike. In vitro, degradation occurs at specific sites where invasive cells make contact with the ECM via specialized plasma membrane protrusions termed invadopodia. Here we present an extensive morpho-functional analysis of invadopodia actively engaged in ECM degradation and show that they are actin comet-based structures, not unlike the well-known bacteria-propelling actin tails. The relative mapping of the basic molecular components of invadopodia to actin tails is also provided. Finally, a live-imaging analysis of invadopodia highlights the intrinsic long-term stability of the structures coupled to a highly dynamic actin turnover. The results offer new insight into the tight coordination between signalling, actin remodelling and trafficking activities occurring at sites of focalized ECM degradation by invadopodia. In conclusion, invadopodia-associated actin comets are a striking example of consistently arising, spontaneous expression of actin-driven propulsion events that also represent a valuable experimental paradigm.
KW - Actin comets
KW - Extracellular matrix
KW - Invadopodia
KW - Invasion
KW - Podosomes
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33751257756&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=33751257756&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ejcb.2006.08.003
DO - 10.1016/j.ejcb.2006.08.003
M3 - Article
C2 - 17010475
AN - SCOPUS:33751257756
VL - 85
SP - 1217
EP - 1231
JO - European Journal of Cell Biology
JF - European Journal of Cell Biology
SN - 0171-9335
IS - 12
ER -