Fig. 4. Ectopic Pax3 expression in Saos-2 cells induces directed cell protrusive
behavior. F-Actin staining of Ad-ß-gal control infected (A, top panel) or
Ad-Pax3flag-infected cells (A, bottom panel) at 72 hours
postinfection illustrates the presence of multiple stable lamellipodia and
filopodia-like protrusions in Ad-Pax3flag-infected cells. The
episodic nature of these protrusions is illustrated by the retraction of a
lamelliform protrusion (arrowhead) in sequential stills (D-G) from a
time-lapse recording of Pax3-infected cells. Pax3-induced cell protrusions
were often elaborate, resembling growth cones (B). Stable filopodia-like
protrusions from individual cells were frequently observed to be directed at
neighboring cells (C and arrow in E). Time-lapse analysis revealed that these
protrusions were involved in cell behavior that resulted in fusion of
aggregates (D-G) and in recruitment of free cells to aggregates (H-J) (see
text for details). Note cell extending from aggregate to neighboring cell
(arrow in H). Bars, 20 µm (A); 40 µm (B,C); 50 µm (D); 80 µm
(H).