Related Experiment Videos
Hydrostatic pressure in epidermal cells is dependent on Ca-mediated contractions
R Strohmeier1, J Bereiter-Hahn
1Cinematic Cell Research Group, F. W. Goethe University, Frankfurt, Federal Republic of Germany.
Journal of Cell Science
|December 1, 1987
Summary
Xenopus epidermal cells treated with lanthanum showed volume changes proportional to osmotic pressure, unlike control cells. This reveals the actomyosin system
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Cell volume regulation is crucial for cellular function.
- The actomyosin system plays a role in cell shape and movement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between cell volume, osmotic pressure, and cellular contractility in Xenopus epidermal cells.
- To determine the role of external calcium in these processes.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of volume/osmotic pressure relationships in lanthanum-treated and control Xenopus epidermal cells.
- Analysis of cell speed in media with varying osmotic pressures.
Main Results:
- Lanthanum-treated cells exhibited volume proportional to the reciprocal of osmotic pressure in hypotonic conditions, unlike control cells.
- This difference was attributed to calcium-dependent actomyosin contractions in control cells.
- Calculated contractile force of control cells under isotonic conditions was 0.96 x 10(5)Nm-2.
- Cell body enlargement during locomotion suggests contraction in the cell body/lamella transition region.
Conclusions:
- External calcium is essential for actomyosin-mediated cell contractions.
- The cell body/lamella transition region is the primary site of contraction during cell locomotion.
- A relationship between internal pressure and cell locomotion was established.