Cytoskeletal Crosstalk in Cell Migration

International audienceCell migration is a highly dynamic process driven by the cytoskeleton, which mainly comprises the actin microfilaments, microtubules and intermediate filaments. During migration, cells polarize and form protrusions at the front where new adhesions are formed. These nascent adhesions mature into focal adhesions that transmit the traction forces required for movement. All of these steps are coupled to major cytoskeletal rearrangements and are controlled by a wide array of signaling cascades. The constant crosstalk between actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments ensures their coordinated dynamics to facilitate cell migration. Here, we first describe how master regulators, such as RhoGTPases, can simultaneously control the three cytoskeletal structures. We then summarize the recent crosstalk mechanisms by which cytoskeletal networks can locally regulate one another in order to function in a coordinated and efficient manner during migration

The 2008 update of the Aspergillus nidulans genome annotation : a community effort

The identification and annotation of protein-coding genes is one of the primary goals of whole-genome sequencing projects, and the accuracy of predicting the primary protein products of gene expression is vital to the interpretation of the available data and the design of downstream functional applications. Nevertheless, the comprehensive annotation of eukaryotic genomes remains a considerable challenge. Many genomes submitted to public databases, including those of major model organisms, contain significant numbers of wrong and incomplete gene predictions. We present a community-based reannotation of the Aspergillus nidulans genome with the primary goal of increasing the number and quality of protein functional assignments through the careful review of experts in the field of fungal biology