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Related Concept Videos

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue. 
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
Cell Migration01:09

Cell Migration

Cell migration, the process by which cells move from one location to another, is essential for the proper development and viability of organisms throughout their life. When cells are not able to migrate properly to their ordained locations, various disorders may occur. For example, disruption in cell migration causes chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.
Cell Migration01:19

Cell Migration

Cell migration is a process by which the cells move from one location to another, playing an essential role in embryological development, repair and regeneration, immune response, and metastasis. Cells migrate in response to chemical or mechanical signals generated by specific organs or tissues. The overall mechanism includes three steps - polarization, protrusion, and release. Polarization involves the formation of a distinct cell front and rear, which determines the direction of movement.
Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility01:13

Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility

Actin is a family of globular proteins that are highly abundant in eukaryotic cells. It makes up approximately 1-5% of total cell protein concentration. Actin monomers polymerize to form a complex network of polarized filaments, the actin cytoskeleton, that plays a crucial role in many cellular processes, including cell motility, division, endocytosis, and metastasis of cancer cells.
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate.
Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration01:32

Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration

A migrating cell changes its shape during the cyclic events of attachment and detachment from the substratum and repositions the cell organelles correspondingly. These complex events are orchestrated by the dynamic cytoskeletal network comprising actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Cytoskeletal crosstalk — the direct and indirect communication between the different components — is crucial for this coordination. Direct communication involves various linker proteins that...
Mechanical Protein Functions01:58

Mechanical Protein Functions

Proteins perform many mechanical functions in a cell. These proteins can be classified into two general categories- proteins that generate mechanical forces and proteins that are subjected to mechanical forces. Proteins providing mechanical support to the structure of the cell, such as keratin, are subjected to mechanical force, whereas proteins involved in cell movement and transport of molecules across cell membranes, such as an ion pump, are examples of generating mechanical force. 

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Single Cell Durotaxis Assay for Assessing Mechanical Control of Cellular Movement and Related Signaling Events
08:30

Single Cell Durotaxis Assay for Assessing Mechanical Control of Cellular Movement and Related Signaling Events

Published on: August 27, 2019

Morphogenetic cell movements: diversity from modular mechanical properties.

Denise J Montell1

  • 1Department of Biological Chemistry, Center for Cell Dynamics, Rangos Building, Suite 450, 855 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. dmontell@jhmi.edu

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|December 6, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Animal development relies on collective cell movements. Key properties like adhesion, contractility, and protrusions, when combined, can generate diverse cell arrangements for organ formation.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Single Cell Durotaxis Assay for Assessing Mechanical Control of Cellular Movement and Related Signaling Events
08:30

Single Cell Durotaxis Assay for Assessing Mechanical Control of Cellular Movement and Related Signaling Events

Published on: August 27, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Animal tissue and organ development depend on coordinated cell movements, known as collective cell movements.
  • Epithelial cell layer geometry, packing, sorting, and rearrangement are influenced by cell-cell adhesion and contractility.
  • Active cell motility is further supported by cell protrusions and adhesion to the extracellular matrix.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore how fundamental cellular mechanical properties contribute to the diversity of collective cell movements.
  • To investigate the combinatorial potential of independent cellular properties in shaping cell arrangements.
  • To understand the basis for orchestrating morphogenetic events during metazoan organ development.

Main Methods:

  • This study is primarily theoretical, focusing on the principles governing cell behavior.
  • It analyzes the interplay of key cellular mechanical properties: cell-cell adhesion, contractility, cell protrusions, and extracellular matrix adhesion.
  • The research explores how combinations of these properties can lead to varied cellular arrangements.

Main Results:

  • Cell-cell adhesion and contractility are identified as primary drivers of epithelial cell layer organization.
  • Cell protrusions and extracellular matrix adhesion contribute to active cell motility.
  • Independent regulation of these mechanical properties allows for combinatorial usage.

Conclusions:

  • A limited set of cellular mechanical properties, when used in combination, can generate a wide spectrum of cell shapes and arrangements.
  • These combinations are sufficient to orchestrate the diverse morphogenetic events observed in metazoan organ development.
  • Understanding these principles is crucial for comprehending tissue and organ formation.