Worm sperm and advances in cell locomotion
Article Abstract:
The sperms of nematodes have developed pseudopods to increase their chances of reaching and fertilizing an egg by allowing the sperm to move forward through the egg cytoplasm. These pseudopods are composed of a cytoskeletal structure that is unusual in that it is made of major sperm protein (MSP) instead of the actin which typically forms the cytoskeletons of eukaryotes. MSP is similar to actin since it forms polymerized filamentous structures arranged in a linear fashion which in turn form larger coils. It has been hypothesized that ATP is involved in initiating motion along the MSP filaments.
Publication Name: Cell
Subject: Biological sciences
ISSN: 0092-8674
Year: 1996
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Reconstruction in vitro of the motile apparatus from the amoeboid sperm of Ascaris shows that filament assembly and bundling move membranes
Article Abstract:
The Ascaris sperm is amoeboid in structure and moves by forming filaments made of major sperm protein. This filament structure was induced to grow in vitro by treating sperm extracts with adenosine triphosphate. The fibers formed are typically 2 micrometers in diameter and from a meshwork structure that forms the body of a filament. The filaments grow backward from a single vesicle, so that the vesicle is moved forward as the filament elongates. The function of filament polymerization as a mechanism for cell motility provides insight on the movement of other amoeboid cell types.
Publication Name: Cell
Subject: Biological sciences
ISSN: 0092-8674
Year: 1996
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Actin-based cell motility and cell locomotion
Article Abstract:
Cell movement is a highly complex activity that requires the coordination of the cytoskeletal, membrane and adhesion systems of cells. Protrusion and traction are two subtypes of motility found in a wide variety of cells. Both are characterized by the involvement of actin filaments for force generation. These filaments are organized in arrays and held together by fimbrins inside protrusive structures called filopodia and lamellipodia. The organization of actin differs in many motile cells. Models for protrusion and traction force generation are included.
Publication Name: Cell
Subject: Biological sciences
ISSN: 0092-8674
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
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