Secrets of actin-based motility revealed by a bacterial pathogen.

Actin-based cell motility is a complex process involving a dynamic, self-organizing cellular system. Experimental problems initially limited our understanding of this type of motility, but the use of a model system derived from a bacterial pathogen has led to a breakthrough. Now, all the molecular components necessary for dynamic actin self-organization and motility have been identified, setting the stage for future mechanistic studies.