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Measuring Cell-Edge Protrusion Dynamics during Spreading using Live-Cell Microscopy

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Stresses at the cell surface during animal cell morphogenesis.

Andrew G Clark¹, Ortrud Wartlick¹, Guillaume Salbreux²

¹MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, UK.

Current Biology : CB

|May 22, 2014

Summary

Cellular mechanics, driven by actomyosin cortex and plasma membrane tension, control cell shape and deformation. Understanding molecular processes is key to cell morphogenesis.

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Area of Science:

Biophysics
Cell Biology
Mechanobiology

Background:

Cell shape and deformation are governed by cellular mechanics, involving mechanical stress and tension at the cell surface.
The plasma membrane and actomyosin cortex are key regulators of cell surface mechanics and tension.
Actomyosin cortex tension arises from myosin stresses and network architecture; plasma membrane tension depends on membrane area relative to cell volume.

Purpose of the Study:

To review current understanding of molecular control over cortex and membrane tension.
To highlight the need for multiscale studies bridging microscopic events and cellular properties.
To discuss the interplay between membrane dynamics and cortex contractility in cell morphogenesis.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on molecular mechanisms controlling cell cortex and plasma membrane tension.
Analysis of factors influencing actomyosin cortex tension (myosin activity, ultrastructure).
Analysis of factors influencing plasma membrane tension (membrane composition, shape, protein organization).

Main Results:

Cell cortex tension is primarily driven by myosin-generated stresses and network architecture.
Plasma membrane tension is modulated by membrane area-to-volume ratio, composition, and associated proteins.
The mechanical interplay between membrane dynamics and cortex contractility is crucial for cell morphogenesis.

Conclusions:

Molecular processes intricately control both cortex and membrane tension, dictating cell mechanics.
Bridging the gap between molecular events and cellular-level emergent properties requires further investigation.
The dynamic interplay between membrane behavior and cortical contractility is fundamental to understanding biomechanical control of cell shape and morphogenesis.