References
PMID:15866889
The ARP2_3 complex and Cofilin are involved in protrusion at the leading edge: the actin-severing activity of cofilin and the actin-branching activity of Arp2_3 act in synergy to drive the extension of lamellipodia.
Cofilin is also required for the maintenance of a polarized cytoskeleton and thus for directional cell migration.
Integrins control motile strategy through a Rho-cofilin pathway.
Adhesion to fibronectin by a5b1 integrin leads to phosphorylation and thus inactivation of cofilin.
Cells thus fail to polarize their cytoskeleton but extend thin protrusion with cell-matrix adhesions in multiple directions.