FOR 629: Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Motility

研究单位的中心课题是分子马达，细胞粘附复合物的成分，以及基于肌动蛋白和微管的细胞骨架之间的相互作用。这种复杂的相互作用及其由化学和机械信号调制在决定细胞形状、运动、粘附和极性方面起着关键作用。在胚胎发生过程中，三维细胞组装的组织导致组织和器官的形成是重要的。运动增强有助于肿瘤细胞的侵袭和转移。近年来，在确定驱动各种运动事件的关键参与者方面取得了相当大的进展，并揭示了潜在分子机制的重要细节。然而，关于肌动蛋白丝与微管相互作用的方式以及微管与局灶性粘连的信息仍然很少。

The central topic of the Research Unit is the interplay between molecular motors, the components of cell adhesion complexes, and the actin- and microtubule-based cytoskeleton. This complex interplay and its modulation by chemical and mechanical signals plays a key role in defining cell shape, motility, adhesion, and polarity. During embryogenesis, it is important for the organisation of three-dimensional cellular assemblies leading to the formation of tissues and organs. Increased motility contributes to invasion and metastasis of tumour cells. In recent years, considerable progress has been made in identifying the key players that drive a wide range of motile events and important details about the underlying molecular mechanisms have been revealed. However, information about the way in which actin filaments interact with microtubules and microtubules with focal adhesions is still scarce.