Mechanical perturbation of webbed edges in 3T3 cells

We have previously described actin edge-bundles (AEBs) as cables of microfilaments lining the webbed edges of 3T3 cells (Zand and Albrecht-Buehler: Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 13:195-211, 1989). We have suggested that AEBs, along with their cell-substratum adhesions, resist cortical tension and prevent the collapse of cytoplasm towards the nucleus. In this paper, we report several stages of AEB disassembly and re-formation induced by the following micro-manipulations: (1) Scoring of the webbed edge of a 3T3 cells with a micro-needle. As a result the sides of the score retracted and the severed AEB appeared to disassemble down to its terminal adhesion points. The retraction stopped after 20-40 seconds and the cells formed a webbed edge with large curvature. Over a period of 20-80 minutes, the new web decreased in length and depth, until it regained its approximate original shape. (2) Bending of cell processes at acute angles. As a result the processes moved until they projected at right angles to the side of the cell and formed new webs gradually expanded their area. In both cases, the nascent webs were lined by actin edge-bundles.