Microtentacle

Microtentacles are microtubule-based protrusions that occur in detached cells. They were discovered by scientists studying metastatic breast cancer cells at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. These protrusions are unusual in that they are not actin-based.

The function of microtentacles may be to aid in metastasis. Breast cancer cells that have microtentacles travel more slowly in blood vessels than breast cancer cells that do not have microtentacles. The microtentacles may allow these cells to latch on to blood vessel walls and invade other tissues.

References

Whipple, R.A.; Balzer, E.M.; Cho, E.H; Matrone, M.A; Yoon, J.R.; Martin, S.S. (2008) Cancer Research, 68:5678-5688. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-07-6589

Whipple, R.A., Cheung, A.M., Martin, S.S. (2007) Detyrosinated microtubule protrusions in suspended mammary epithelial cells promote reattachment. Experimental Cell Research 313(7):1326-36. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2007.02.001