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Cited by 611Ion Channels and ReceptorsCellular Mechanics and InteractionsCalcium signaling and nucleotide metabolism

Calcium flickers steer cell migration

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Wei, Chaoliang, Wang, Xianhua, Chen, Min, Ouyang, Kunfu, Song, Long-Sheng, Cheng, Heping·2009·Nature
DOI 10.1038/nature07577PMC PMC3505761
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Abstract

Directional movement is a property common to all cell types during development and is critical to tissue remodelling and regeneration after damage. In migrating cells, calcium has a multifunctional role in directional sensing, cytoskeleton redistribution, traction force generation, and relocation of focal adhesions. Here we visualize high-calcium microdomains ('calcium flickers') and their patterned activation in migrating human embryonic lung fibroblasts. Calcium flicker activity is dually coupled to membrane tension (by means of TRPM7, a stretch-activated Ca(2+)-permeant channel of the transient receptor potential superfamily) and chemoattractant signal transduction (by means of type 2 inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors). Interestingly, calcium flickers are most active at the leading lamella of migrating cells, displaying a 4:1 front-to-rear polarization opposite to the global calcium gradient. When exposed to a platelet-derived growth factor gradient perpendicular to cell movement, asymmetric calcium flicker activity develops across the lamella and promotes the turning of migrating fibroblasts. These findings show how the exquisite spatiotemporal organization of calcium microdomains can orchestrate complex cellular processes such as cell migration.

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Cited by

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Authors
Wei, C., Wang, X., Chen, M., Ouyang, K., Song, L.-S., & Cheng, H.
Affiliations
  • Peking University (CN)
  • University of Iowa (US)
Corresponding author
  • Wei, Chaoliang
  • Cheng, Heping
ORCID
Venue
Nature
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2009-02-01
Volume
457
Issue
7231
Pages
901-905
ISSN
  • 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-4687
DOI
10.1038/nature07577
PMC
PMC3505761
OpenAlex
W2081848364
Cited by
611
References
0
Citations by year
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FWCI
14.15
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Nature (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL090905, HL090905)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Ion Channels and Receptors
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Physiology › Calcium signaling and nucleotide metabolism
Keywords
directional cell migration, fibroblast chemotaxis, TRPM7, IP3 receptor, membrane tension, calcium gradient, platelet-derived growth factor, chemoattractant signaling, human embryonic lung fibroblasts
MeSH terms
Calcium-Transporting ATPases, Calcium, Cell Line, Chemotaxis, Endoplasmic Reticulum, Enzyme Inhibitors, Fibroblasts, Humans, Cell Polarity, Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Thapsigargin, TRPM Cation Channels, Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors

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