Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

3.2K
In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue. 
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
3.2K
Cell Motility through Blebbing01:16

Cell Motility through Blebbing

2.3K
Blebs are a type of membrane protrusion formed by the internal hydrostatic pressure of the cytoplasm. Blebs are observed in several cell types, including fibroblasts, immune cells, and single-celled organisms like the amoeba. The primary function of blebs is cell locomotion and apoptosis, but they are also found during necrosis and cell division. The life cycle of a bleb comprises an initiation phase followed by the expansion and retraction phases.
Blebbing Through the Matrix
In multicellular...
2.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

High-density microwell arrays enable controlled pseudoislet engineering for diabetes cell therapy.

Biomedical materials (Bristol, England)·2026
Same author

Exploring the depth profile of low-pressure plasma-treated PDMS by VUV spectroscopic ellipsometry.

The Journal of chemical physics·2026
Same author

Catalytic oxygen generation and drug delivery via manganese dioxide nanoparticles to enhance radiotherapy in glioblastoma.

International journal of pharmaceutics·2026
Same author

Bottom-Up Programming of Cell States in Cancer Organoids with Defined Synthetic Adhesion Cues.

Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)·2026
Same author

Conductive Hydrogels for Exogenous Sensing and Cell Fate Control.

Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)·2026
Same author

Cells Dynamically Adapt Their Nuclear Volumes and Proliferation Rates During Single to Multicellular Transitions.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Biophysical Assays to Probe the Mechanical Properties of the Interphase Cell Nucleus: Substrate Strain Application and Microneedle Manipulation
16:27

Biophysical Assays to Probe the Mechanical Properties of the Interphase Cell Nucleus: Substrate Strain Application and Microneedle Manipulation

Published on: September 14, 2011

12.7K

EMT-Induced Cell-Mechanical Changes Enhance Mitotic Rounding Strength.

Kamran Hosseini1,2, Anna Taubenberger1, Carsten Werner3

  • 1Biotechnology Center Technische Universität Dresden Tatzberg 47-49 Dresden 01307 Germany.

Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|October 12, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Cancer cells exhibit enhanced mitotic rounding, a process crucial for cell division in crowded tumor environments. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) drives these mechanical changes, involving Rho GTPases like Rac1.

More Related Videos

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
10:37

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition

Published on: August 27, 2013

36.3K
High Throughput Traction Force Microscopy Using PDMS Reveals Dose-Dependent Effects of Transforming Growth Factor-β on the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
13:34

High Throughput Traction Force Microscopy Using PDMS Reveals Dose-Dependent Effects of Transforming Growth Factor-β on the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition

Published on: June 1, 2019

9.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Biophysical Assays to Probe the Mechanical Properties of the Interphase Cell Nucleus: Substrate Strain Application and Microneedle Manipulation
16:27

Biophysical Assays to Probe the Mechanical Properties of the Interphase Cell Nucleus: Substrate Strain Application and Microneedle Manipulation

Published on: September 14, 2011

12.7K
Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
10:37

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition

Published on: August 27, 2013

36.3K
High Throughput Traction Force Microscopy Using PDMS Reveals Dose-Dependent Effects of Transforming Growth Factor-β on the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
13:34

High Throughput Traction Force Microscopy Using PDMS Reveals Dose-Dependent Effects of Transforming Growth Factor-β on the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition

Published on: June 1, 2019

9.8K

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Successful mitosis in animal cells requires a rounded shape to accommodate the mitotic spindle.
  • Mitotic rounding is a mechanically driven process involving actomyosin contractility and tissue deformation.
  • Cancer cells often navigate mechanically challenging environments, suggesting adaptations for mitosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) influences cell mechanics during mitosis in breast epithelial cells.
  • To explore the role of Rho GTPases in EMT-associated changes in mitotic rounding.
  • To determine if EMT enhances the ability of cancer cells to undergo mitosis in confined spaces.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of cell-mechanical changes in breast epithelial cells undergoing EMT.
  • Measurement of mitotic rounding strength in interphase and mitotic states.
  • Assessment of Rho GTPase (RhoA and Rac1) activity.
  • Experimental inhibition of Rac1 to observe its effect on cell mechanics.

Main Results:

  • EMT induces distinct cell-mechanical changes in interphase and mitosis, enhancing mitotic rounding strength.
  • EMT-associated cell-mechanical changes correlate with altered activity of Rho GTPases RhoA and Rac1.
  • Inhibition of Rac1 activity rescues the EMT-induced mechanical phenotype of the cell cortex.

Conclusions:

  • The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a significant role in enhancing mitotic rounding.
  • EMT-driven changes in Rho GTPase activity, particularly Rac1, are critical for this enhanced rounding.
  • These findings suggest a novel mechanism by which EMT facilitates successful cell division in mechanically confined tumor microenvironments.