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细胞能自己走“迷宫”
作者:小柯机器人 发布时间:2020/8/29 18:19:55

英国格拉斯哥大学Robert H. Insall小组的一项最新研究表明,细胞通过分解引诱分子来走出迷宫并实现远距离响应。该项研究成果发表在2020年8月28日出版的《科学》杂志上。

研究人员描述了由细胞局部降解引诱分子产生的自生梯度如何使单个细胞在较长的曲折路径上导航并在实时通道和死角之间做出准确的选择。这使细胞可以有效地完成复杂的迷宫。细胞寻找正确通道的准确性取决于引诱分子的扩散性、细胞的速度和路径的复杂性。操纵这些参数能够以数学上可预测的方式指导细胞;特定的组合甚至可以主动误导它们。研究人员认为,许多远距离迁移过程的长度和复杂性(包括炎症和生殖细胞迁移)意味着成功导航需要自生梯度。
 
据介绍,在发育和转移过程中,细胞会在复杂的环境中迁移很远的距离。迁移通常由趋化性所指导,但源头和下游之间的简单趋化性梯度无法将细胞定向在此范围内。 
 
附:英文原文

Title: Seeing around corners: Cells solve mazes and respond at a distance using attractant breakdown

Author: Luke Tweedy, Peter A. Thomason, Peggy I. Paschke, Kirsty Martin, Laura M. Machesky, Michele Zagnoni, Robert H. Insall

Issue&Volume: 2020/08/28

Abstract: During development and metastasis, cells migrate large distances through complex environments. Migration is often guided by chemotaxis, but simple chemoattractant gradients between a source and sink cannot direct cells over such ranges. We describe how self-generated gradients, created by cells locally degrading attractant, allow single cells to navigate long, tortuous paths and make accurate choices between live channels and dead ends. This allows cells to solve complex mazes efficiently. Cells’ accuracy at finding live channels was determined by attractant diffusivity, cell speed, and path complexity. Manipulating these parameters directed cells in mathematically predictable ways; specific combinations can even actively misdirect them. We propose that the length and complexity of many long-range migratory processes, including inflammation and germ cell migration, means that self-generated gradients are needed for successful navigation.

DOI: 10.1126/science.aay9792

Source: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/369/6507/eaay9792

期刊信息
Science:《科学》,创刊于1880年。隶属于美国科学促进会,最新IF:41.037