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Related Concept Videos

Cell Polarization by Rho Proteins01:21

Cell Polarization by Rho Proteins

Cell polarity is the asymmetric distribution of cellular and membrane components, making one side of the cell different from the other. This polarity is essential to many processes such as embryogenesis, axon migration, glucose transport across epithelial cells, and directional cell migration. A migrating cell responds to intracellular or extracellular signals via molecular cascades that reorganize the actin cytoskeleton to establish this polarity. In these cells, the Rho family proteins Cdc42,...
Polarity of the Cytoskeleton01:18

Polarity of the Cytoskeleton

The intrinsic polarity of cells can be primarily attributed to two factors- i) the asymmetric accumulation of mobile components such are regulatory molecules and subcellular components across the cell and ii) the orientation of polar cytoskeletal filaments that make up the cytoskeletal networks, specifically microfilaments, and microtubules arranged along the axis of polarity. Interactions between the cytoskeletal filaments are crucial for the establishment and maintenance of the polar nature...
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...
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.
Determining the Plane of Cell Division02:13

Determining the Plane of Cell Division

Positioning the cell division plane is a critical step during development and cell differentiation, particularly during mitosis when the plane is essential for determining the size of the two daughter cells. The cell division plane is perpendicular to the plane of chromosome segregation, but different types of organisms have different cell division mechanisms to suit their morphology and function. 
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division starting...

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The C. elegans Intestine As a Model for Intercellular Lumen Morphogenesis and In Vivo Polarized Membrane Biogenesis at the Single-cell Level: Labeling by Antibody Staining, RNAi Loss-of-function Analysis and Imaging
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The mechanics behind cell polarity.

Atef Asnacios1, Olivier Hamant

  • 1Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7057, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and Université Paris-Diderot (Paris 7), CC7056-10, Rue A. Domont et L. Duquet, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France.

Trends in Cell Biology
|September 18, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Cell polarity, crucial for development, arises from similar mechanisms in plants and animals, integrating biochemical and mechanical signals. Mechanical factors like extracellular matrix and cytoskeleton are key to establishing and maintaining cell polarity.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Cell polarity is a fundamental symmetry-breaking process essential for numerous physiological and developmental events.
  • Both plant and animal cells utilize a conserved core mechanism involving the extracellular matrix (ECM), Rho GTPase, cytoskeleton, and membranes to establish polarity.
  • Emerging evidence highlights the significant role of mechanical factors in cell polarity, with key molecular players integrating both biochemical and mechanical cues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the conserved mechanisms of cell polarity generation in plants and animals.
  • To elucidate the theoretical background and experimental evidence for the role of mechanical factors in cell polarity.
  • To provide a comparative overview of cell polarity, focusing on the integration of mechanical and biochemical signaling.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of cell polarity mechanisms in plant and animal systems.
  • Review of theoretical frameworks detailing the influence of mechanics on cell polarity.
  • Examination of experimental evidence related to ECM anchorage, cytoskeleton dynamics, and membrane tension in polarity establishment.

Main Results:

  • Identified functional convergence in cell polarity mechanisms between plants and animals despite structural differences.
  • Demonstrated that mechanical forces, alongside biochemical signals, are integral to the establishment and maintenance of cell polarity.
  • Highlighted the importance of ECM, cytoskeleton, and membrane tension as key components influenced by mechanical cues.

Conclusions:

  • Cell polarity is a complex but functionally convergent process across kingdoms, integrating diverse signals.
  • Mechanical forces play a critical role in robust cell polarity, acting through established molecular pathways.
  • Understanding the interplay of mechanics and biochemistry offers new insights into cell polarity regulation.