Actin-based comet tails produced by Listeria monocytogenes; are considered as representative models for cellular force-producing machineries crucial for cell migration. We here present a proteomic picture of these tails formed in extracts from brain and platelets. This provides a comprehensive view, revealing high molecular complexity and novel host cell proteins as tail components, and Suggests the participation of specific multicomponent regulatory complexes. This work forms a new basis to expand Current models of cellular protrusion. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.