Proteins essential for signaling, morphogenesis, and migration traverse the complex intracellular landscape via vesicular trafficking, microtubule-based transport, and diffusion. However, the precise mechanisms guiding soluble proteins toward their functional destinations have remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate that soluble proteins are directed toward the cell’s advancing edge through advection—diffusion enhanced by intracellular fluid flow. We reveal that advective transport occurs within a specialized compartment at the cell’s leading edge, separated from the rest of the cytoplasm by an actin-myosin condensate barrier. The barrier limits protein mixing between the compartment and the rest of the cytoplasm, maintaining localized protein concentrations. Contraction at the barrier generates a molecularly non-specific fluid flow that drives the forward movement of treadmilling actin monomers, actin-binding proteins, adhesion molecules, and even inert proteins. Dynamic changes in the local curvature of the barrier steer the fluid flow to direct proteins toward protrusive regions of the leading edge. This advective mechanism synchronizes protein distribution with local changes in cell morphology. Outside this compartment, diffusion dominates as the principal mode of soluble protein transport. Our findings uncover previously unrecognized compartmentalization strategies that regulate soluble protein concentrations and coordinate their efficient distribution for homeostasis, protrusion, and adhesion. Cells use fluid flow to deliver proteins to their leading edge. An actin barrier creates a compartment where contraction drives flow, steering proteins toward growing regions. This mechanism coordinates protein distribution with cell shape changes.
Galbraith et al. (Mon,) studied this question.