Meghan Stith
4/11/2019
Article 8 Assignment 4i
Introduction:
Directed cell migration involves translocation of cell bodies as well as weakening of
adhesion for advancement. For this to happen, F-actin must be coupled with the Extracellular
Matrix through the plasma membrane by focal Adhesion. By the regulation of F-actin and
proteins within Focal adhesion, cells are able to respond to mechanical cues. Additionally, it is
known that F-actin and focal adhesions are also coupled with each other, but it is unknown
what specific Focal adhesion molecules interact with F-action in living cells. In this study, the
interactions between F-actin and focal adhesions were observed by using imaging contrasts to
visualize how the cortical F-actin integrates with Focal Adhesions in Ptk1 cells. Therefore, my
question is if they are visualizing the F-actin, why aren’t they also visualizing G-actin?