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The Dynamics of Cell Motility

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Physical Sciences and Engineering Advances in Life Sciences and Oncology

Part of the book series: Science Policy Reports ((SCIPOLICY))

Abstract

Cell-matrix adhesions function as structural anchor points for the organization of the actin cytoskeleton. Integrin engagement regulates the activity of several members of the Rho family of small guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases), which mediate rapid changes in cytoskeletal dynamics. The activity of Rho GTPases is principally controlled by the balance between the binding of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) or GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). Three family members—Rac, Rho, and Cdc42—are well-studied regulators of cell motility. Rac induces the assembly of focal complexes and actin polymerization during the formation of lamellipodia. Rho induces the formation of stress fibers, whereas Cdc42 induces actin polymerization for the formation of filopodia. The Rho family of small GTPases conveys unique biological effects through distinct effector proteins that act through different signaling pathways. These GTPases also play pivotal roles in reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and cell movement in invading cancer cells. Perhaps Rho GTPases play a role in regulating the ability of the physical microenvironment and mechanical forces to drive cancer? This chapter provides an overview of the research being done to characterize the role that the physical and genetic drivers of cell motility play in cancer development and progression.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, 3303 SW Bond Ave, Portland, OR, 97239, USA

    Owen McCarty

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  1. Owen McCarty
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Correspondence to Owen McCarty .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Paul Janmey

  2. Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA

    Daniel Fletcher

  3. Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, JH Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Sharon Gerecht

  4. Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, New York, USA

    Ross Levine

  5. Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA

    Parag Mallick

  6. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA

    Owen McCarty

  7. Radiation Oncology Edwin L. Steele Lab for Tumor Biology, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA

    Lance Munn

  8. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell Univesity, Ithaca, New York, USA

    Cynthia Reinhart-King

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McCarty, O. (2016). The Dynamics of Cell Motility. In: Janmey, P., et al. Physical Sciences and Engineering Advances in Life Sciences and Oncology. Science Policy Reports. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17930-8_6

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