What is the role of the cytoskeleton in cancer cell motility?
Cancer cell motility is a critical factor in metastasis, the process by which cancer spreads from the primary site to distant organs. The cytoskeleton, composed of actin filaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments, is central to this process. Actin filaments facilitate the formation of cellular protrusions like lamellipodia and filopodia, which are essential for cell movement. Microtubules assist in cellular polarity and directional migration by coordinating with actin filaments. Cancer cells often exhibit enhanced motility due to the deregulation of these cytoskeletal components, enabling them to invade surrounding tissues and enter the bloodstream.
