Fig. 10. How microtubule and Rac 1-dependent actin might contribute to rapid growth
on laminin. (A) On a polyamine or fibronectin substrate, there is an
incremental advance of the leading edge of the growth cone by polymerization
onto the existing actin network, well ahead of the microtubules. (B) An
additional mechanism that could contribute to normal growth on laminin.
Microtubules penetrate filopodia (1). Multiple microtubules penetrate
filopodia and peripheral regions (2). Rac 1-dependent F-actin colocalized with
bundled microtubules produces `splashes' of veil at the distal edge (3) and
facilitates rapid advancement.