The Ways of Actin: Why Tunneling Nanotubes Are Unique Cell Protrusions
Abstract
Actin remodeling is at the heart of the response of cells to external or internalstimuli, allowing a variety of membrane protrusions to form. Fifteen years ago,tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) were identified,bringinganoveladditiontothefamily of actin-supported cellular protrusions. Their unique property as conduitsfor cargo transfer between distant cells emphasizes the unique nature of TNTsamong other protrusions. While TNTs in different pathological and physiologicalscenarios have been described, the molecular basis of how TNTs form is not wellunderstood. In this review, we discuss the role of several actin regulators in theformation of TNTs and suggest potential players based on their comparisonwith other actin-based protrusions. New perspectives for discovering a distinctTNT formation pathway would enable us to target them in treating the increasingnumber of TNT-involved pathologies.
