(Press-News.org) Contact information: Sònia Armengou
armengou@irbbarcelona.org
34-934-037-255
Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)
A study on cell migration provides insights into the movement of cancer cells
Using Drosophila melanogaster, researchers at IRB Barcelona discover that during multiple cell migrations a single cell can act as leader, dragging the others with it
Jordi Casanova, head of the "Morphogenesis in Drosophila" lab at IRB Barcelona and CSIC research professor, and Gaëlle Lebreton, postdoctoral fellow in the same group, have published a study performed using Drosophila melanogaster in the Journal of Cell Science. This work reveals that in a multiple movement, a single cell can act as the leader and can drag the rest with it. The scientists have studied the tracheal development of Drosophila in vivo and describe the morphological characteristics of the leading cell and provide molecular details about how it drives the movement.
"Cancer researchers are keen to know how cells are organized to achieve migration and to form new capillaries to feed an expanding cancerous tumor," explains Gaëlle Lebreton, first author of the article. "Our study gives new data about how angiogenesis might arise," comments the French scientist at IRB Barcelona. Angiogenesis or the formation of new blood vessels is a critical process in the context of cancer because it is one of the steps that mark the transformation of a benign tumour into a malignant one. The formation of new blood vessels involves the synchronized movements of groups of cells. In this regard, understanding how these groups work will open up new research lines on angiogenesis.
Over seven hours, the scientists tracked a group of seven cells that form one of the tracheal branches of the fly Drosophila melanogaster in its first hours of development. The leading cell is the only one that has receptors for the growth factor FGF. The FGF signal stimulates a cascade of reactions in this cell in order to generate sufficient energy and to turn it into the promoter of motility.
"This is a novel piece of work because we monitored the entire process in vivo and because it is the first time we have seen, in an experimental context, that a single cell can lead this multiple migration," says Casanova.
It is important to note that the development of trachea in the Drosophila fly is similar to that of bronchia in humans. Consequently, this development is also of biomedical interest in order to unravel the basic processes involved in the formation of new tissue.
INFORMATION:
Reference article:
Specification of leading and trailing cell features during collective migration in the Drosophila trachea
Lebreton G, Casanova J.
A study on cell migration provides insights into the movement of cancer cells
Using Drosophila melanogaster, researchers at IRB Barcelona discover that during multiple cell migrations a single cell can act as leader, dragging the others with it
2013-11-21
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Infant galaxies merging near 'cosmic dawn'
2013-11-21
Infant galaxies merging near 'cosmic dawn'
Astronomers using the combined power of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) telescope and NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have discovered a far-flung trio of primitive galaxies nestled inside ...
Hardworking sisters enable insect colonies to thrive
2013-11-21
Hardworking sisters enable insect colonies to thrive
They are among the animal kingdom's most industrious workers … now a study reveals why colonies of ants and bees depend on females for their success.
Altruistic workers in social insect colonies ...
5 tips for a better Thanksgiving: A new video by the American Chemical Society
2013-11-21
5 tips for a better Thanksgiving: A new video by the American Chemical Society
Whether you're brining your bird this Thanksgiving or experimenting with "wheat meat," the American Chemical Society's (ACS') latest Bytesize Science episode offers five tips on ...
Bio-based solar cell
2013-11-21
Bio-based solar cell
Photosynthetic proteins generate electricity rather than biomass
Researchers at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) have developed a bio-based solar cell. They embedded the two proteins photosystem 1 and 2, which in plants are responsible ...
Researchers gain fuller picture of cell protein reactions
2013-11-21
Researchers gain fuller picture of cell protein reactions
Unique peptide array technology provides fast, low-cost, label-free method for understanding processes that modulate platelet production
Over the past decade, advances in genetic mapping tools have provided ...
Study shows displaying lab costs upfront can save money
2013-11-21
Study shows displaying lab costs upfront can save money
Including real-time cost of lab tests in electronic health system could make physicians think twice before ordering them
Health care costs continue to go up, and physicians control more ...
High HIV knowledge and risky sexual behavior not associated with HIV testing in young adolescents
2013-11-21
High HIV knowledge and risky sexual behavior not associated with HIV testing in young adolescents
Strongest independent predictors of testing include high HIV-related partner communication and being in a committed relationship
NEW YORK (November ...
Where and how are fear-related behaviors and anxiety disorders controlled?
2013-11-21
Where and how are fear-related behaviors and anxiety disorders controlled?
Using an approach combining in vivo recordings and optogenetic manipulations in mice, the researchers succeeded in showing that the inhibition of parvalbumin-expressing ...
Cincinnati Children's researchers develop first molecular test to diagnose eosinophilic esophagitis
2013-11-21
Cincinnati Children's researchers develop first molecular test to diagnose eosinophilic esophagitis
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have developed the first molecular test to diagnose eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), ...
Early-career investigator discovers current volcanic activity under West Antarctica
2013-11-21
Early-career investigator discovers current volcanic activity under West Antarctica
Seismic 'swarms' indicate active magma moving below critical area of Antarctica's ice sheet
Scientists funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) have observed "swarms" of seismic ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
UMaine research examines best methods for growing Atlantic sea scallops
Medical cannabis could speed recovery, especially at community recovery homes
Study assesses U.S. image amid weakening of democracy
Two scientific researchers to receive 2025 Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships for Brain Health
Researchers improve chemical reaction that underpins products from foods to fuels
Texas Tech to develop semiconductor power devices through $6 million grant
Novel genomic screening tool enables precision reverse-engineering of genetic programming in cells
Hot Schrödinger cat states created
How cells repair their power plants
Oxygen is running low in inland waters—and humans are to blame
ACP’s Best Practice Advice addresses use of cannabis, cannabinoids for chronic noncancer pain
Beyond photorespiration: A systematic approach to unlocking enhanced plant productivity
How a small number of mutations can fuel outbreaks of western equine encephalitis virus
Exposure to wildfire smoke linked with worsening mental health conditions
Research uncovers hidden spread of one of the most common hospital-associated infections
Many older adults send their doctors portal messages, but who pays?
Fine particulate matter from 2020 California wildfires and mental health–related emergency department visits
Gender inequity in institutional leadership roles in US academic medical centers
Pancreatic cells ‘remember’ epigenetic precancerous marks without genetic sequence mutations
Rare combination of ovarian tumors found in one patient
AI-driven clinical recommendations may aid physician decision making to improve quality of care
Artificial intelligence has potential to aid physician decisions during virtual urgent care
ACP and Annals of Internal Medicine present breaking scientific news at ACP’s Internal Medicine Meeting 2025
New study reveals polymers with flawed fillers boost heat transfer in plastics
Signs identified that precede sudden arrhythmic death syndrome in young people
Discovery of bacteria's defence against viruses becomes a piece of the puzzle against resistance
Pre-eclampsia is associated with earlier onset and higher incidence of cardiovascular risk factors
Warwick astronomers discover doomed pair of spiralling stars on our cosmic doorstep
Soil conditions significantly increase rainfall in world’s megastorm hotspots
NK cells complexed with bispecific antibody yield high response rates in patients with lymphoma
[Press-News.org] A study on cell migration provides insights into the movement of cancer cellsUsing Drosophila melanogaster, researchers at IRB Barcelona discover that during multiple cell migrations a single cell can act as leader, dragging the others with it