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Updated: Jan 19, 2026
Types of Membrane Protrusions
Protrusion membrane pearling emerges during 3D cell division
David Caballero1,2,3,4,5, Inês Mendes Pinto6, Boris Y Rubinstein7
1Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract:
Cell division is accompanied by dramatic changes in shape that ultimately lead to the physical separation of one cell into two. In 2D microenvironments, cells round up and remain adhered onto the substrate by thin retraction fibers during division. In contrast, in 3D environments, cells divide exhibiting long protrusions that guide the orientation of the division axis. However, the mechanism of cell division in three dimensions still remains poorly understood. Here we report the spontaneous formation of transient quasiperiodic membrane pearling on extended mitotic protrusions during 3D cell division. Protrusion membrane pearling may be initiated by the non-uniform distribution of focal adhesions and consequent stationary instability of the protrusive membrane. Overall, membrane pearling emergence may provide insights into a novel modality of 3D cell division with potential physiological relevance.
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ExpandHypotheses: The experimental hypothesis is that in root tips slices that have been treated with nocodazole, a chemical that interferes with microtubular polymerization, all of the cells will be arrested at the same stage of the cell cycle and that in untreated onion tip slices all of the different stages of the cell cycle will be visualized. The null hypothesis is that there will be no differences in mitosis between the two groups and that different...
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ExpandFor the cell cycle experiment using root tips, first, leave an onion suspended over a beaker of water to grow roots for several days.
Then, clean the onion roots of any dirt or debris.
Next, in a 1.5 mL tube, dissolve 10 mcg of nocodazole per 1 mL of dimethyl sulfoxide solution, making 1 tube per student.
Finally, set out all of the other tools, materials, and reagents from the list of materials onto each student's lab bench.