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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2014 Jan 2.
Published in final edited form as: Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2013 Jun 19;14(7):10.1038/nrm3609. doi: 10.1038/nrm3609

Figure 1. Steps of the cell motility cycle.

Figure 1

An external or internal signal stimulates the local and asymmetric polymerization of actin (depicted by an asterisk) (1). Polymerizing actin pushes against the cell membrane to form a locomotory or invasive protrusion (2). The attachment of the protrusion to the extracellular matrix initiates adhesion formation at the leading edge and signals to the contractile machinery of the cell to initiate contraction (3). Contractile tension distorts the cell into an elongated shape (4). Release of the rear adhesion allows tail retraction and locomotion of the cell (5).