Neural crest cells bulldoze through the microenvironment using water channel proteins to stabilize filopodia
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ABSTRACT: Neural crest migration requires cells to move through dense extracellular matrix and mesoderm to reach targets throughout the vertebrate embryo. Here, we use high-resolution microscopy, computational modeling, and in vitro and in vivo cell invasion assays to investigate the function of Aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) signaling. We find that migrating cranial neural crest cells express AQP-1 mRNA and protein within cell filopodia, implicating a biological role for water channel protein function during invasion. Differential AQP-1 levels affect neural crest cell speed, direction, and the length and stability of cell filopodia. Further, AQP-1 enhances matrix metalloprotease (MMP) activity and phosphorylated focal adhesion kinases (pFAK). Co-localization of AQP-1 expression with EphB guidance receptors in the same migrating neural crest cells raises novel implications for the concept of guided bulldozing by lead cells during migration.
ORGANISM(S): Gallus gallus
PROVIDER: GSE121131 | GEO | 2019/12/16
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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