Organised cell migrations transform embryos from featureless spheres into recognisable animals. For a cell to move, cytoskeletal and other proteins need to be localised to its leading and trailing edges. Yaniv et al. (see p. 5649) examine whether this localisation is driven by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). They report that one such RBP – Vg1 RBP – is localised to the extended processes of migrating neural crest cells in Xenopus embryos. When Vg1 RBP expression was reduced by antisense morpholino oligonucleotide injection, neural crest cells, although correctly specified, did not migrate normally and the neural tube roof plate failed to form properly because of defective neuroepithelial cell migration. Vg1 RBP, conclude the researchers,could facilitate normal cell migration by mediating the sorting of specific RNAs to the leading edge of migrating cells.

© 2003.
2003