Microtentacles are
microtubule
Microtubules are polymers of tubulin that form part of the cytoskeleton and provide structure and shape to eukaryotic cells. Microtubules can be as long as 50 micrometres, as wide as 23 to 27 nm and have an inner diameter between 11 an ...
-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.
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*{{cite journal , last1 = Whipple , first1 = R.A. , last2 = Cheung , first2 = A.M. , last3 = Martin , first3 = S.S. , year = 2007 , title = Detyrosinated microtubule protrusions in suspended mammary epithelial cells promote reattachment , journal = Experimental Cell Research , volume = 313 , issue = 7, pages = 1326–36 , doi = 10.1016/j.yexcr.2007.02.001 , pmid=17359970 , pmc=3132414
Cell biology