Journal
ANNUAL REVIEW OF CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY, VOL 30
Volume 30, Issue -, Pages 317-336Publisher
ANNUAL REVIEWS
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cellbio-100913-013357
Keywords
cell polarity; electrochemistry; electric fields; ion transport; cytoskeleton; small GTPases
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Funding
- NIGMS NIH HHS [GM056836] Funding Source: Medline
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Localized ion fluxes at the plasma membrane provide electrochemical gradients at the cell surface that contribute to cell polarization, migration, and division. Ion transporters, local pH gradients, membrane potential, and organization are emerging as important factors in cell polarization mechanisms. The power of electrochemical effects is illustrated by the ability of exogenous electric fields to redirect polarization in cells ranging from bacteria, fungi, and amoebas to keratocytes and neurons. Electric fields normally surround cells and tissues and thus have been proposed to guide cell polarity in development, cancer, and wound healing. Recent studies on electric field responses in model systems and development of new biosensors provide new avenues to dissect molecular mechanisms. Here, we review recent advances that bring molecular understanding of how electrochemistry contributes to cell polarity in various contexts.
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