The Role of Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase Signalling On Cell Migration and Fluidity via Cytoskeletal Reorganization

The abnormal regulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway has been associated with the development of tumour cell invasion and metastasis through changes in the expression and activation of diverse cytoskeletal proteins (Qian et al., 2017). This research project intended to investigate the influence of MAPK signalling on cytoskeletal reorganization and its effects of cell fluidity on the migratory processes of MDA MB 231 human breast cancer cells. Selected (S3) cells isolated for enhanced motile characteristics were linked to increased downstream MAPK protein expressions and exhibited reduced actin and focal adhesion densities and lower actin anisotropy, observations that are correlated with softer cell structures. Cells treated with MEK inhibitors reversed these changes, demonstrating increased F-actin density and anisotropy as well as greater focal adhesion densities that were correlated with reduced cell speeds. These results reveal that MAPK signalling has a significant role in regulating cell biomechanics.