TY - JOUR T1 - Primordial germ cells adjust their protrusion type while migrating in different tissue contexts <em>in vivo</em> JF - bioRxiv DO - 10.1101/2022.11.02.514858 SP - 2022.11.02.514858 AU - Lukasz Truszkowski AU - Dilek Batur AU - Hongyan Long AU - Katsiaryna Tarbashevich AU - Bart E. Vos AU - Britta Trappmann AU - Erez Raz Y1 - 2022/01/01 UR - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2022/11/02/2022.11.02.514858.abstract N2 - In both physiological processes and disease contexts, migrating cells have the ability to adapt to conditions in their environment. As an in vivo model for this process, we use zebrafish primordial germ cells that migrate throughout the developing embryo. When migrating within an ectodermal environment, the germ cells form fewer and smaller blebs as compared with their behavior within mesodermal environment. We find that cortical tension of neighboring cells is a parameter that affects blebbing frequency. Interestingly, the change in blebbing activity is accompanied by the formation of more actin-rich protrusions. These alterations in cell behavior that correlate with changes in RhoA activity could allow the cells to maintain dynamic motility parameters, such as migration speed and track straightness, in different settings. In addition, we find that the polarity of the cells can be affected by stiff structures positioned in their migration path.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest. ER -