Amoeboid movement

The amoeboid movement describes a creep of cells, such as amoebae in certain leukocytes, amoebic algae and some cancer cells.

Cause and Operation

The control of the amoeboid movement of chemical attractants such as the booty (chemotaxis ). In the direction of creep ( Leitsaum or leading edge called ) form sac-like protrusions ( pseudopodia ) and filamentous ( filopodia ) and lamellar ( lamellipodia ) extensions. The anchoring at the surface is carried out in the cell over focal adhesions (stress fibers). Various processes cause the movement of amoeboid cell. Firstly actomyosin contraction, similar to a muscle in the back region of the cell and exerts pressure on the rear end, and thus leads, while loosening the front end to a forward movement. Furthermore attaches to the extensions of F- actin and exocytosis by a flowing motion is caused at these locations. In addition, the effect of the subsequent decomposition of F-actin to water-soluble G -actin osmotic pressure, so that this area of ​​the cell to swell.