Figure 2.

A new hypothesis for the locomotion mode of neuronal migration that is mediated by cooperative regulation of cell adhesion, endocytic membrane trafficking, actin cytoskeletal organization and actomyosin-mediated contractile force.

(A) N-Cadherin serves as anchor points for actin fibers (F-actin), which generate a tension derived from the actomyosin contractile force. (B) Detachment of the F-actin-anchors by N-cadherin endocytosis releases the actomyosin contractile force, causing the neuronal cell soma to be pulled up. (C) The internalized N-cadherin is transported to the forward plasma membrane to form new attachment points to the radial fibers. Created with Adobe Illustrator.