by using a special model that allowed them to view migrating cancer cells in three dimensions, researchers discovered that metastasizing cells essentially alter their energy systems to quickly facilitate their journey to other areas of the body. these cells were also able to adjust their structure to allow a form of movement known as rounded-amoeboid migration. by maintaining a loose connection to their surroundings, they are able to slither their way deeper into the body’s tissues.
this form of motion requires less energy and, as a result, metastasizing cells reshape their mitochondria into many smaller pieces that operate in low-power mode, as opposed to normal cells with larger mitochondria that operate in high-power mode.
“these metastatic cells are rewiring themselves to be very efficient,” said eva crosas-molist, researcher at barts cancer centre and first author on the paper. “they only need low levels of energy to move, which helps them to survive in the potentially stressful environments they are migrating to, where there may be a lack of nutrients or oxygen.”
the team found if they manipulated the multiple mitochondria in these cells to join together, it halted their invasive behaviour. similarly, when they divided the mitochondria found non-invasive cells, they began to mimic the behaviour of metastatic tumour cells. the also discovered that a protein known as ampk oversees this process, determining the energy needs of a cell and controlling its cytoskeleton, which governs how it moves and acts.
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