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Directional bleb formation in spherical cells under temperature gradient.

Kotaro Oyama1, Tomomi Arai1, Akira Isaka1

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This summary is machine-generated.

Cells can sense spatial temperature gradients, forming directional membrane extensions under sharp gradients. This reveals a novel mechanism involving actomyosin complexes sensing local temperature changes.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Biophysics
  • Thermosensation

Background:

  • Living cells possess biological thermosensors, like ion channels, to detect absolute temperature and temporal changes.
  • Sensing spatial temperature gradients within single cells remains an underexplored area of cell biology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and reveal a novel mechanism by which single cells sense spatial temperature gradients.
  • To understand the cellular response to localized thermal cues.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing a focused 1455-nm laser beam for localized heating under an optical microscope to create sharp temperature gradients (≥∼0.065°C μm(-1)).
  • Observing the behavior of spherical mitotic cells, specifically the formation of membrane extensions (polar blebs).
  • Analyzing the distribution and contractile force of actomyosin complexes during thermal stimulation.

Main Results:

  • Spherical mitotic cells form directional membrane extensions (polar blebs) in response to sharp spatial temperature gradients.
  • Multiple nondirectional blebs form under gradual temperature gradients or uniform heating.
  • Actomyosin complex distribution becomes inhomogeneous due to broken symmetry in contractile force, indicating its role in sensing gradients.

Conclusions:

  • A novel mechanism for sensing spatial temperature gradients within single cells has been identified.
  • The actomyosin complex acts as a sensor for local temperature gradients, influencing cell morphology.
  • Cellular response, including polar bleb formation, is dependent on the steepness of the temperature gradient.