Dissecting the Molecular Mechanisms of Electrotactic Effects.
Significance:Steady electric fields (EFs) surround cells and tissuesin vivoand may regulate cellular behavior during development, wound healing, or tissue regeneration. Application of exogenous EFs of similar magnitude as those foundin vivocan direct migration, growth, and division in most cell types, ranging from bacteria to mammalian cells. These EF effects have therapeutic potential, for instance, in accelerating wound healing or improving nerve repair. EFs are thought to signal through the plasma membrane to locally activate or recruit components of the cytoskeleton and the polarity machinery. How EFs might function to steer polarity is, however, poorly understood at a molecular level.Recent Advances:Here, we review recent work introducing genetically tractable systems, such as yeast andDictyosteliumcells, that begin to identify proteins and pathways involved in this response both at the level of ion transport at the membrane and at the level of cytoskeleton regulation.Critical Issues:These studies highlight the complexity of these EF effects and bring important novel views on core polarity regulation.Future Directions:Future work pursuing initial screening in model organisms should generate broad mechanistic understanding of electrotactic effects.
Subcellular Structure and Cellular Dynamics Research Group (UMR 144 CNRS/IC), Institut Curie , Paris, France .
Daria
D
Bonazzi
Subcellular Structure and Cellular Dynamics Research Group (UMR 144 CNRS/IC), Institut Curie , Paris, France .
Nicolas
N
Minc