Biology:Microtentacle

Microtentacles are microtubule-based membrane protrusions that occur in detached cells. They were discovered by scientists studying metastatic breast cancer cells at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. These novel structures are distinct from classical actin based extensions of adherent cells, persist for days in breast tumor lines that are resistant to apoptosis, and aid in the reattachment to matrix or cell monolayers.

The formation of microtentacles (McTNs) in detached or circulating tumor cells may promote seeding of bloodborne metastatic disease.

References

• Yoon, JR; Whipple, RA; Balzer, EM; Cho, EH; Matrone, MA; Peckham, M; Martin, SS (Oct 2011). "Local anesthetics inhibit kinesin motility and microtentacle protrusions in human epithelial and breast tumor cells". Breast Cancer Res Treat 129 (3): 691–701. doi:10.1007/s10549-010-1239-7. PMID 21069453. 
• Balzer, EM; Whipple, RA; Thompson, K; Boggs, AE; Slovic, J; Cho, EH; Matrone, MA; Yoneda, T et al. (Dec 2010). "c-Src differentially regulates the functions of microtentacles and invadopodia". Oncogene 29 (48): 6402–8. doi:10.1038/onc.2010.360. PMID 20956943. 
• Matrone, MA; Whipple, RA; Balzer, EM; Martin, SS (Oct 2010). "Microtentacles tip the balance of cytoskeletal forces in circulating tumor cells". Cancer Res. 70 (20): 7737–41. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-10-1569. PMID 20924109. 
• Whipple, RA; Matrone, MA; Cho, EH; Balzer, EM; Vitolo, MI; Yoon, JR; Ioffe, OB; Tuttle, KC et al. (Oct 2010). "Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition promotes tubulin detyrosination and microtentacles that enhance endothelial engagement". Cancer Res. 70 (20): 8127–37. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-09-4613. PMID 20924103. 
• Matrone, MA; Whipple, RA; Thompson, K; Cho, EH; Vitolo, MI; Balzer, EM; Yoon, JR; Ioffe, OB et al. (Jun 2010). "Metastatic breast tumors express increased tau, which promotes microtentacle formation and the reattachment of detached breast tumor cells". Oncogene 29 (22): 3217–27. doi:10.1038/onc.2010.68. PMID 20228842. 
• Balzer, EM; Whipple, RA; Cho, EH; Matrone, MA; Martin, SS (May 2010). "Antimitotic chemotherapeutics promote adhesive responses in detached and circulating tumor cells". Breast Cancer Res Treat 121 (1): 65–78. doi:10.1007/s10549-009-0457-3. PMID 19593636. 
• Whipple, R.A.; Balzer, E.M.; Cho, E.H; Matrone, M.A; Yoon, J.R.; Martin, S.S. (2008). "Vimentin Filaments Support Extension of Tubulin-Based Microtentacles in Detached Breast Tumor Cells". Cancer Research 68 (14): 5678–5688. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-07-6589. PMID 18632620. 
• Whipple, R.A.; Cheung, A.M.; Martin, S.S. (2007). "Detyrosinated microtubule protrusions in suspended mammary epithelial cells promote reattachment". Experimental Cell Research 313 (7): 1326–36. doi:10.1016/j.yexcr.2007.02.001. PMID 17359970.