Cellular search migrations in normal development and carcinogenesis.
This review describes the large group of morphogenetic processes designated as search migrations. Search migrations typically include two stages: i) search, when a group of cells or of the cytoplasmic processes migrate over the cell-free spaces, and ii) choice, the stage when migrating cells reach specific loci where they stop and undergo specific differentiations induced by local factors such as cell-cell contacts and humoral agents. Migrating cells that do not meet their targets usually undergo apoptosis. Numerous examples of search migrations range from gastrulation to formation of axon-muscle connections. Critical stages of carcinogenesis such as acquisition of cell ability for invasion may be regarded as the genetic aberration of normal search migration: cancer cells perform an endless search but cannot make final choice.
Vasiliev
J M
JM
Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992, Russia. yuvasiliev@yahoo.com
Gelfand
I M
IM
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D016158:Genes, p53; D006801:Humans; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology