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Nature Cell Biology 10, 118–120 (1 February 2008) | doi:10.1038/ncb0208-118

Facing up to Mena: Tes(ting) times for EVH1 domains

J. Victor Small

The protrusion of lamellipodia and filopodia at the front of migrating cells functions to seed new adhesion sites that, in turn, support further cycles of protrusion and, eventually, the translocation of the trailing cell body. In rapidly migrating cells, phases of protrusion dominate over retractions and adhesions formed at the front turn over within 1–2 min; in slower cells, retractions are more frequent and adhesions more persistent.