C2C12 murine cells expressing P-cadherin protein during their collective migration

C2C12 murine cells expressing P-cadherin protein during their collective migration are marked for P-cadherin (yellow/orange/red), actin microfilaments (grey) and nuclei (blue). This image was made using confocal microscopy. Researchers have identified P-cadherin, a protein expressed in invasive tumour cells, as stimulating collective cell migration. This migration observed in solid tumours furthers the invasion and dissemination of tumour cells. Cadherins play a major role in the regulation of this process, which necessitates the coordination of cell movement and the transmission of mechanical forces at cell-cell junctions. This work paves the way towards identifying new therapeutic targets in the combat against the dissemination of cancer cells from a solid tumour in the organism.