Overview Cell Structures Cell Migration Cell Division  

Highly Dynamic Invadopodia in Transformed Cells

Stickel and Wang, J. Cell Biol. 104:1521-1526 (1987)

Cells interact physically with their environment through adhesion structures. To study adhesion structures in transformed cells, Normal Rat Kidney cells transformed with Rous sarcoma virus were microinjected with fluorescently labeled alpha-actinin, which incorporates into amorphous adhesion structures known as invadopodia. These structures are believed to be responsible for the invasion into the basement membrane.

Rapid Changes and Movements of Invadopodia in Transformed NRK Cells

These time lapse sequences show flower-like, rapidly changing invadopodia located on the bottom surface of the cell. Recording time, 3 min.