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Biomechanical regulation of contractility: spatial control and dynamics
Romain Levayer1, Thomas Lecuit
1Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille Luminy, Unité Mixte de Recherche 6216, Case 907, Campus de Luminy, 13009 Marseille, France.
Trends in Cell Biology
|November 29, 2011
Summary
Cells use internal energy to form contractile actomyosin networks that drive shape changes. This review explores how spatiotemporal regulation, dynamics, and mechanics of these networks lead to self-organization and robustness in cell morphogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Biophysics
- Developmental biology
Background:
- Cells are active materials capable of shape change through internal energy utilization.
- The actomyosin cortex, composed of actin filaments and myosin motors, is crucial for cell shape regulation.
- Spatiotemporal control of actomyosin contractility orchestrates diverse cellular processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a framework integrating spatiotemporal regulation with actomyosin network dynamics and mechanics.
- To delineate emergent properties of contractile activity across different cellular contexts.
- To provide a comprehensive overview of actomyosin-driven cell shape changes.
Main Methods:
- Review of established biochemical pathways regulating actomyosin networks.
- Analysis of actomyosin network dynamics, including flows and pulses.
- Comparison of contractile activity in cytokinesis, cell migration, and epithelial morphogenesis.
Main Results:
- Actomyosin networks exhibit complex dynamics influenced by mechanical properties and biomechanical feedback.
- Spatiotemporal regulation is key to controlling contractility for cell shape changes.
- Emergent properties like self-organization, adaptability, and robustness are observed in contractile activity.
Conclusions:
- A unified framework can explain the spatiotemporal regulation of contractility.
- Actomyosin network dynamics and mechanics are fundamental to cell morphogenesis.
- Understanding these principles is vital for comprehending cell behavior and development.
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