Cell motility in vivo - polarization of zebrafish germ cells
Final Report Abstract
The aim of the project was to determine the mechanisms contributing to cell polarization in the context of directed cell migration within the live tissue. In particular, the role of thin cellular protrusions called filopodia was proposed to be determined. Using the zebrafish germ cell migration as a general model for single-cell migration we could show that filopodia distribution and their dynamics are dictated by the gradient of the protein that directs the cells, namely the chemokine Cxcl12a. By specifically interfering with filopodia formation, we could show for the first time that these protrusions play an important role in cell polarization by the chemokine by increasing the area responding to it at the cell front. Specifically, polarization markers such as intracellular pH and Rac1 activity, as well as effective cell migration towards the target were affected as a result of interfering with filopodia formation. Together, we could show that filopodia allow the interpretation of the chemotactic gradient in the context of the live tissue within a developing zebrafish embryo, by facilitating effective single-cell polarization in response to the guidance cue.
Publications
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Dynamic filopodia are required for chemokine-dependent intracellular polarization during guided cell migration in vivo.
eLife, Vol. 4. 2015: e05279.
Meyen, D., Tarbashevich, K., Banisch, T.U., Wittwer, C., Reichman-Fried, M., Maugis, B., Grimaldi, C., Messerschmidt, E., Raz, E
