Steering yourself by the bootstraps: how cells create their own gradients for chemotaxis

Insall, R. H. , Paschke, P. and Tweedy, L. (2022) Steering yourself by the bootstraps: how cells create their own gradients for chemotaxis. Trends in Cell Biology, 32(7), pp. 585-596. (doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2022.02.007) (PMID:35351380)

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Abstract

Chemotaxis, where cell movement is steered by chemical gradients, is a widespread and essential way of organising cell behaviour. But where do the instructions come from – who makes gradients, and how are they controlled? We discuss the emerging concept that chemotactic cells often create attractant gradients at the same time as responding to them. This self-guidance is more robust, works across greater distances, and is more informative about the local environment than passive responses. Several mechanisms can establish autonomous gradients. Best known are self-generated gradients, in which the cells degrade a widespread attractant, but cells also produce repellents and ‘relay’ by secreting fresh attractant after stimulation. Understanding how cells make and interpret their own chemoattractant gradients is fundamental to understanding the spatial patterns seen in all organisms.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This work was funded by Cancer Research UK (grant number A24450) and the Wellcome Trust (grant number 221786).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Tweedy, Dr Luke and Insall, Professor Robert and Paschke, Dr Peggy
Authors: Insall, R. H., Paschke, P., and Tweedy, L.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
Journal Name:Trends in Cell Biology
Publisher:Elsevier (Cell Press)
ISSN:0962-8924
ISSN (Online):1879-3088
Published Online:26 March 2022
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2022 The Authors
First Published:First published in Trends in Cell Biology 32(7):585-596
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
311739Resubmission: Understanding The Physiology Of Chemotaxis Towards Self-Generated Gradients, using Models, Model Organisms and T cellsRobert InsallWellcome Trust (WELLCOTR)221786/Z/20/ZInstitute of Cancer Sciences