The Role of the Cytoskeleton in Cell Migration, Its Influence on Stem Cells and the Special Role of GFAP in Glial Functions

The cytoskeleton is a group of dynamic proteins that permits the cells to have the proper shape and to perform any cellular movement, as well as the movement of structures inside the cell. To migrate the cell must emit specialized protrusions, especially the lamellipodium. Composed of actin filaments, the lamellipodium is formed at the leading edge of cells and allows them to advance on the substrate, which is the first step in migration. Chemokines are attractant molecules that induce the migratory phenotype and consequently lamellipodium formation. Its signaling though G their protein-coupled receptors leads to activation of pathways that are transduced into cytoskeleton changes.