Abstract

Filopodia are thin, actin-rich plasma-membrane protrusions that function as antennae for cells to probe their environment. Consequently, filopodia have an important role in cell migration, neurite outgrowth and wound healing and serve as precursors for dendritic spines in neurons. The initiation and elongation of filopodia depend on the precisely regulated polymerization, convergence and crosslinking of actin filaments. The increased understanding of the functions of various actin-associated proteins during the initiation and elongation of filopodia has provided new information on the mechanisms of filopodia formation in distinct cell types.

Author affiliations

1. Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PX, UK.
2. Institute of Biotechnology, PO BOX 56, University of Helsinki, 00014 Finland.

Correspondence to: Email: pekka.lappalainen@helsinki.fi

Published online 9 May 2008

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