title: The molecular basis of induction and formation of tunneling nanotubes.
abstract: Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) and associated structures are recently recognized structures for intercellular communication. They are F-actin-containing thin protrusions of the plasma membrane of a cell and allow a direct physical connection to the plasma membranes of remote cells. TNTs and associated structures serve as mediators for intercellular transfer of organelles as well as membrane components and cytoplasmic molecules. Moreover, several pathogens have been shown to exploit these structures to spread among cells. Because of their contribution to normal cellular functions and importance in pathological conditions, studies on TNTs and related structures have accelerated over the past few years. These studies have revealed key molecules for their induction and/or formation; HIV Nef and M-Sec can induce the formation of TNTs in coordination with the remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton and vesicle trafficking.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Histology and Cytology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, North 15, West 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan.
authors.forename: Shunsuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hase
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohno
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002450:Cell Communication; D021961:Cell Membrane Structures / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000821:virology*; D017977:Deltaretrovirus / Q000502:physiology; D006800:Deltaretrovirus Infections / Q000821:virology; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006678:HIV / Q000502:physiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000821:virology; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D048069:Tumor Necrosis Factors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D048069:Tumor Necrosis Factors; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins