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Quantitative Analysis of Cell Edge Dynamics during Cell Spreading
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A minimal cell model for lamellipodia-based cellular dynamics and migration.

Raj Kumar Sadhu1, Aleš Iglič2, Nir S Gov3

  • 1Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR 168, Paris 75005, France.

Journal of Cell Science
|July 27, 2023
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Summary

Cellular lamellipodia self-organize through membrane-bound protein complexes and cytoskeletal forces. This mechanism explains cell spreading, migration, and phagocytosis, revealing simple physical principles driving cell shape dynamics.

Keywords:
Actin cytoskeletonCell migrationCell shapesCurved membrane proteins

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Theoretical Biology

Background:

  • Lamellipodia are crucial cellular structures for cell migration and spreading.
  • The spatiotemporal self-organization of lamellipodia components remains incompletely understood.
  • Existing knowledge details lamellipodia components but lacks a cohesive organizational mechanism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review theoretical frameworks explaining lamellipodia self-organization.
  • To demonstrate a feedback mechanism involving membrane-bound proteins and cytoskeletal forces.
  • To elucidate the physical principles governing cellular shape dynamics.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent theoretical works on cell mechanics.
  • Modeling of membrane-bound protein complexes with intrinsic curvature.
  • Analysis of cytoskeletal recruitment and protrusive force generation.

Main Results:

  • A simple, robust feedback mechanism for cytoskeleton and membrane organization was identified.
  • This mechanism explains the formation of flat lamellipodia during cell spreading.
  • The model accounts for cell migration over various substrates and particle engulfment in phagocytosis.

Conclusions:

  • Intrinsic membrane curvature and cytoskeletal feedback drive lamellipodia formation.
  • Simple physical principles can explain complex cellular shape dynamics.
  • This framework supports a 'minimal cell' model for cell motility and phagocytosis.