invadopodium (invasive foot)

Introduction

Protrusions in the cell membrane of cells (especially malignant cells) that extend into the extracellular matrix. The are rich in actin. Invadopodia formation is initiated with assembly of actin core structures, followed by accumulation of matrixin for extracellular matrix degradation. They are associated with metastatic cancer cells that are invading surrounding tissues.

More general terms

• lamellipodium (lamellar foot process)

Additional terms

• podosome