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Nature 430, 734-735 (12 August 2004) | doi:10.1038/430734a; Published online 11 August 2004

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Cell biology:  Barbed ends rule

Dorothy A. Schafer1

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To explore their surroundings, cells use probes of various shapes. Whether the probes are broad and flat, or long and thin, seems to be regulated by proteins at the growing ends of actin filaments.

Cells reach out with various structures as they crawl and interact with their environment. Broad, flat protrusions called lamellipodia surge forward and adhere to surfaces, allowing cells to gain traction and move.

  1. Dorothy A. Schafer is in the Departments of Biology and Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, USA.
    Email: das9w@virginia.edu

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