| Podosome | |
|---|---|
 Podosomes (yellow) in melanoma cells, along with cell nuclei (blue), actin (red), and an actin regulator (green). | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | podosoma |
| MeSH | D000069261 |
| TH | H1.00.01.1.02034 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Podosomes are conical, actin-rich structures found on the outer surface of the plasma membrane of animal cells.[1] Their size ranges from approximately 0.5 μm to 2.0 μm in diameter. While usually situated on the periphery of the cellular membrane, these unique structures display a polarized pattern of distribution in migrating cells, situating at the front border between the lamellipodium and lamellum.[2] Their primary purpose is connected to cellular motility and invasion; therefore, they serve as both sites of attachment and degradation along the extracellular matrix. Many different specialized cells exhibit these dynamic structures such as invasive cancer cells, osteoclasts, vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, and certain immune cells like macrophages and dendritic cells.[3]
- ^ Rottiers, P; Saltel, F; Daubon, T; Chaigne-Delalande, B; Tridon, V; Billottet, C; Reuzeau, E; Génot, E (Dec 1, 2009). "TGFbeta-induced endothelial podosomes mediate basement membrane collagen degradation in arterial vessels". Journal of Cell Science. 122 (Pt 23): 4311–8. doi:10.1242/jcs.057448. PMID 19887587.
- ^ Calle, Y; Burns, S; Thrasher, AJ; Jones, GE (April 2006). "The leukocyte podosome". European Journal of Cell Biology. 85 (3–4): 151–7. doi:10.1016/j.ejcb.2005.09.003. PMID 16546557.
- ^ Gimona, M; Buccione, R; Courtneidge, SA; Linder, S (April 2008). "Assembly and biological role of podosomes and invadopodia". Current Opinion in Cell Biology. 20 (2): 235–41. doi:10.1016/j.ceb.2008.01.005. PMID 18337078.