Cell migration: fibroblasts find a new way to get ahead

Fibroblasts migrate on two-dimensional (2D) surfaces by forming lamellipodia-actin-rich extensions at the leading edge of the cell that have been well characterized. In this issue, Petrie et al. (2012. J. Cell Biol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201201124) show that in some 3D environments, including tissue explants, fibroblasts project different structures, termed lobopodia, at the leading edge. Lobopodia still assemble focal adhesions; however, similar to membrane blebs, they are driven by actomyosin contraction and do not accumulate active Rac, Cdc42, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases.