ISSN:
0886-1544
Keywords:
video-enhanced contrast microscopy
;
transverse fibers
;
transport
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Wound healing in Swiss 3T3 cultures was investigated with video-enhanced contrast (VEC) microscopy. The formation of protrusions at the leading edge of cells along wounds was investigated in detail during the spreading stage, which usually lasted from 1 to 4 hr postwounding. Lamellipodia exhibited a continuous rearward, or centripetal, transport of a variety of cellular constituents at rates of ∼0.26 μm/sec from the leading edge. The lamellipodia were also the sites of lateral migration as well as extension and retraction of actin microspikes. Actin fibers oriented transversely to the direction of movement were also observed to transport centripetally at similar rates. These fibers may in part give rise to large actin fibers forming at the interface between the base of the lamellipodia and the lamellae. Beads 0.5 μm in diameter attached to the dorsal surfaces of lamellipodia also transported centripetally at rates of ∼0.21 μm/sec. Thus there is an apparent correlation between transport of a variety of structures within lamellipodia and with surface movements of lamellipodia.
Additional Material:
9 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cm.970110403