Membrane Ruffles: Composition, Function, Formation and Visualization

Yan, Guiqin; Zhou, Jie; Yin, Jiaxin; Gao, Duolan; Zhong, Xiaohai; Deng, Xiaoyan; Kang, Hongyan; Sun, Anqiang

doi:10.3390/ijms252010971

Open AccessReview

Membrane Ruffles: Composition, Function, Formation and Visualization

by

Guiqin Yan

,

Jie Zhou

,

Jiaxin Yin

,

Duolan Gao

,

Xiaohai Zhong

,

Xiaoyan Deng

,

Hongyan Kang

^*

and

Anqiang Sun

^*

Key Laboratory of Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (Beihang University), Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China

^*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(20), 10971; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252010971

Submission received: 5 September 2024 / Revised: 9 October 2024 / Accepted: 10 October 2024 / Published: 12 October 2024

(This article belongs to the Section Biochemistry)

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Abstract

Membrane ruffles are cell actin-based membrane protrusions that have distinct structural characteristics. Linear ruffles with columnar spike-like and veil-like structures assemble at the leading edge of cell membranes. Circular dorsal ruffles (CDRs) have no supporting columnar structures but their veil-like structures, connecting from end to end, present an enclosed ring-shaped circular outline. Membrane ruffles are involved in multiple cell functions such as cell motility, macropinocytosis, receptor internalization, fluid viscosity sensing in a two-dimensional culture environment, and protecting cells from death in response to physiologically compressive loads. Herein, we review the state-of-the-art knowledge on membrane ruffle structure and function, the growth factor-induced membrane ruffling process, and the growth factor-independent ruffling mode triggered by calcium and other stimulating factors, together with the respective underlying mechanisms. We also summarize the inhibitors used in ruffle formation studies and their specificity. In the last part, an overview is given of the various techniques in which the membrane ruffles have been visualized up to now.

Keywords: membrane ruffles; cell motility; macropinocytosis; viscosity sensing; growth factor; calcium; optic imaging

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MDPI and ACS Style

Yan, G.; Zhou, J.; Yin, J.; Gao, D.; Zhong, X.; Deng, X.; Kang, H.; Sun, A. Membrane Ruffles: Composition, Function, Formation and Visualization. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25, 10971. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252010971

AMA Style

Yan G, Zhou J, Yin J, Gao D, Zhong X, Deng X, Kang H, Sun A. Membrane Ruffles: Composition, Function, Formation and Visualization. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024; 25(20):10971. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252010971

Chicago/Turabian Style

Yan, Guiqin, Jie Zhou, Jiaxin Yin, Duolan Gao, Xiaohai Zhong, Xiaoyan Deng, Hongyan Kang, and Anqiang Sun. 2024. "Membrane Ruffles: Composition, Function, Formation and Visualization" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 25, no. 20: 10971. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252010971

APA Style

Yan, G., Zhou, J., Yin, J., Gao, D., Zhong, X., Deng, X., Kang, H., & Sun, A. (2024). Membrane Ruffles: Composition, Function, Formation and Visualization. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(20), 10971. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252010971

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Membrane Ruffles: Composition, Function, Formation and Visualization

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