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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
06:37
Protrusion Force Microscopy: A Method to Quantify Forces Developed by Cell Protrusions
Published on: June 16, 2018
Modeling of protrusion phenotypes driven by the actin-membrane interaction.
Mihaela Enculescu1, Mohsen Sabouri-Ghomi, Gaudenz Danuser
1Department of Theoretical Physics, Helmholtz Centre Berlin for Materials and Energy, Berlin, Germany.
Biophysical Journal
|April 23, 2010
Summary
This study introduces a mathematical model for cell migration, explaining how actin cytoskeleton dynamics and membrane mechanics drive leading-edge movement. The model accurately predicts cell behavior changes under different signaling conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Biophysics
- Computational modeling
Background:
- Cell migration is crucial for development and disease.
- The leading edge, specifically the lamellipodium, is key to cell movement.
- Actin cytoskeleton dynamics and membrane mechanics govern lamellipodium behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a mathematical model for simulating leading-edge dynamics during cell migration.
- To investigate the interplay between elastic properties, actin cytoskeleton architecture, and membrane mechanics.
- To explain experimentally observed morphodynamic state switches.
Main Methods:
- Mathematical modeling of actin filament length and attachment dynamics.
- Calculation of forces exerted on the cell membrane.
- Simulation of protrusion morphodynamics under varying conditions.
Main Results:
- The model successfully reproduces state switches in protrusion morphodynamics observed in epithelial cells.
- It differentiates behavior between control cells and those expressing active Rac.
- It offers mechanistic insights into morphodynamic distortions caused by Arp2/3 and cofilin deregulation.
Conclusions:
- The model provides a framework for understanding the physical mechanisms of cell migration.
- It highlights the critical roles of actin dynamics and membrane mechanics.
- It can predict and explain cellular responses to altered signaling pathways.
Related Concept Videos
01:09Cell 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.
01:28Types of Membrane Protrusions
The protrusion of the cell surface is an initial step for several cellular processes, including cell migration, phagocytosis, and neurite outgrowth. These membrane protrusions are a result of cytoskeletal rearrangement. The most widely observed cell protrusions include lamellipodia, pseudopodia, filopodia, microvilli, invadopodia, and podosomes. These protrusions can be of two types — static or dynamic.
The microvilli, an example of stable protrusions, are finger-like projections with a...
The microvilli, an example of stable protrusions, are finger-like projections with a...
01:31Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation
Cells migrating in response to external stimuli form lamellipodia, which are thin membrane protrusions supported by a mesh of linked, branched, or unbranched actin filaments. These actin filaments interact with myosin motor proteins, creating the dynamic actomyosin complex within the cytoskeleton. Contractility, or the ability to generate contractile stress, is inherent to the actomyosin complex. It helps cells detect the stiffness of the surrounding ECM and exert contractile force for...
01:13Actin 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.
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate.
01:39Mechanism of Filopodia Formation
Filopodia are thin, actin-rich cellular protrusions that play an important role in many fundamental cellular functions. They vary in their occurrence, length, and positioning in different cell types, suggesting their diverse roles.
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
01:18Role of Myosin in Cell Migration
Myosins are multimeric motor proteins involved in various cellular processes such as migration, adhesion, and proliferation. Myosin II is the most common type in animal cells, which binds and cross-links actin filaments.
Myosin II is a hexamer comprising two heavy chains with globular heads and coiled-coil tails, two regulatory light chains, and two essential light chains. The ATPase sites on the myosin heads hydrolyze ATP, and the released phosphate generates the force for contraction. It is...
Myosin II is a hexamer comprising two heavy chains with globular heads and coiled-coil tails, two regulatory light chains, and two essential light chains. The ATPase sites on the myosin heads hydrolyze ATP, and the released phosphate generates the force for contraction. It is...