Three-dimensional characterization of active membrane waves on living cells

Area of Science:

• Cell biology
• Biophysics
• Biomechanical modeling

Background:

• Living cells exhibit dynamic membrane topography.
• Understanding cell membrane mechanics is crucial for cell function.
• Active membrane models are needed to explain complex cellular behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure the temporal evolution of fibroblast membrane topography.
• To characterize the propagation of membrane waves.
• To validate a new active membrane model.

Main Methods:

• Utilized wide-field optical profiling to measure 3D membrane topography.
• Quantified membrane wave propagation.
• Compared experimental data with numerical simulations from the Shlomovitz and Gov active membrane model.

Main Results:

• Observed and measured dynamic, wave-like membrane topography on living fibroblasts.
• Demonstrated that blebbistatin and latrunculin A treatments abolish membrane waves.
• Showed that drug treatments flatten the cell membrane surface.

Conclusions:

• Membrane waves are driven by the interplay between myosin II motors and actin polymerization.
• The active membrane model accurately predicts observed cellular membrane dynamics.
• Experimental findings support the proposed mechanism for active membrane remodeling.