More physical than chemical: Researchers show what really gets cells going

(Osaka University) Collective cell migration is essential in many organisms, with roles in human cellular processes including cancer invasion and wound healing. Now, a team led by researchers at Osaka University have found that traditional thinking regarding the role of chemical signalling in collective cell migration may not hold true. The researchers found that in the later stages of development of a model unicellular amoeba, cell-to-cell contact rather than cAMP signalling is likely to trigger cell motility.
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news