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Where to Go: Breaking the Symmetry in Cell Motility

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  • Sui Huang

Abstract

Cell migration in the “correct” direction is pivotal for many biological processes. Although most work is devoted to its molecular mechanisms, the cell’s preference for one direction over others, thus overcoming intrinsic random motility, epitomizes a profound principle that underlies all complex systems: the choice of one axis, in structure or motion, from a uniform or symmetric set of options. Explaining directional motility by an external chemo-attractant gradient does not solve but only shifts the problem of causation: whence the gradient? A new study in PLOS Biology shows cell migration in a self-generated gradient, offering an opportunity to take a broader look at the old dualism of extrinsic instruction versus intrinsic symmetry-breaking in cell biology.Directional cell motility is enabled by chemoattractant gradient and symmetry-breaking. This Primer argues that the recent observation of cells generating a gradient in a uniformly distributed nutrient reveals the multilayered nature of symmetry-breaking in cell locomotion.

Suggested Citation

  • Sui Huang, 2016. "Where to Go: Breaking the Symmetry in Cell Motility," PLOS Biology, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(5), pages 1-10, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pbio00:1002463
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002463
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Liang Li & Simon F Nørrelykke & Edward C Cox, 2008. "Persistent Cell Motion in the Absence of External Signals: A Search Strategy for Eukaryotic Cells," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 3(5), pages 1-11, May.
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    1. Chandranath Ghosh & Souvik Ghosh & Ayan Chatterjee & Palash Bera & Dileep Mampallil & Pushpita Ghosh & Dibyendu Das, 2023. "Dual enzyme-powered chemotactic cross β amyloid based functional nanomotors," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.

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