Kinesin-associated transport is involved in the regulation of cell adhesion

Cell Biol Int. 1997 Apr;21(4):229-36. doi: 10.1006/cbir.1997.0136.

Abstract

It has been recently shown that deploymerization of microtubules induces the elongation of focal contacts at the leading edge. On the other hand, cell shape and pseudopodial activity were found to depend on the microtubule-based motor kinesin. In this paper, we examine whether kinesin is involved in controlling the dynamics of adhesive structures at the cell surface. Microinjection of an antiblocking kinesin activity in vitro causes focal contact elongation similar to the effect of microtubule-depolymerizing drugs. Thus, the role of microtubules in cell adhesion lies in the supporting kinesin-based transport to the adhesion sites.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Transport
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / physiology
  • Humans
  • Kinesins / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Microtubules / physiology*

Substances

  • Kinesins