Abstract
The most prominent developmental function attributed to the extracellular matrix
(ECM) is cell migration. While cells in culture can use autocrine produced ECM to
migrate, the role of ECM in regulating developmental cell migration is classically
viewed as an exogenous matrix presented to the moving cells. In contrast to this view, here we show that Drosophila embryonic hemocytes deposit their own laminins in streak-like structures to migrate efficiently throughout the embryo. With the help of transplantation experiments, live microscopy and image quantification, we demonstrate that autocrine-produced laminin regulates hemocyte migration by controlling lamellipodia dynamics, stability and persistence. Proper laminin deposition is regulated by the RabGTPase Rab8, which is highly expressed and required in hemocytes for lamellipodia dynamics and migration. Our results thus support a model in which, during embryogenesis, the Rab8-regulated autocrine deposition of laminin reinforces directional and effective migration by stabilizing cellular protrusions and
strengthening otherwise transient adhesion states.
(ECM) is cell migration. While cells in culture can use autocrine produced ECM to
migrate, the role of ECM in regulating developmental cell migration is classically
viewed as an exogenous matrix presented to the moving cells. In contrast to this view, here we show that Drosophila embryonic hemocytes deposit their own laminins in streak-like structures to migrate efficiently throughout the embryo. With the help of transplantation experiments, live microscopy and image quantification, we demonstrate that autocrine-produced laminin regulates hemocyte migration by controlling lamellipodia dynamics, stability and persistence. Proper laminin deposition is regulated by the RabGTPase Rab8, which is highly expressed and required in hemocytes for lamellipodia dynamics and migration. Our results thus support a model in which, during embryogenesis, the Rab8-regulated autocrine deposition of laminin reinforces directional and effective migration by stabilizing cellular protrusions and
strengthening otherwise transient adhesion states.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1461-1470 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Cell Reports |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Early online date | 7 Nov 2017 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 7 Nov 2017 |