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First published online November 18, 2009
doi: 10.1242/10.1242/jcs.023564

Journal of Cell Science 122, 4267-4276 (2009)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2009
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Commentary

Electrical dimensions in cell science

Colin D. McCaig*, Bing Song and Ann M. Rajnicek

School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, Scotland

* Author for correspondence (c.mccaig{at}abdn.ac.uk)

Cells undergo a variety of physiological processes, including division, migration and differentiation, under the influence of endogenous electrical cues, which are generated physiologically and pathologically in the extracellular and sometimes intracellular spaces. These signals are transduced to regulate cell behaviours profoundly, both in vitro and in vivo. Bioelectricity influences cellular processes as fundamental as control of the cell cycle, cell proliferation, cancer-cell migration, electrical signalling in the adult brain, embryonic neuronal cell migration, axon outgrowth, spinal-cord repair, epithelial wound repair, tissue regeneration and establishment of left-right body asymmetry. In addition to direct effects on cells, electrical gradients interact with coexisting extracellular chemical gradients. Indeed, cells can integrate and respond to electrical and chemical cues in combination. This Commentary details how electrical signals control multiple cell behaviours and argues that study of the interplay between combined electrical and chemical gradients is underdeveloped yet necessary.

Key words: Directed migration, Electric field, Polarity, Regeneration, Wound healing


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