Cell membranes after malignant transformation. Part I: Dynamic stability at low surface tension

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Cell Biology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Malignant transformation alters cell membrane dynamics.
• Understanding cell membrane stability is crucial for cancer research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a hydrodynamic cell model for analyzing dynamic cell membrane stability.
• To investigate conditions leading to surface fluctuations, microvilli formation, and cell division in malignant cells.

Main Methods:

• A hydrodynamic model of the cell membrane as a two-dimensional charged interface.
• First-order stability analysis to determine conditions for surface fluctuation growth.

Main Results:

• Instability occurs when total surface tension (pure surface tension + double layer free energy) is negative.
• Cancer cells show promoted division due to increased fluidity and negative total surface tension.
• Predicted microvilli diameter aligns with dominant perturbation wavelengths (0.1-1 μm).

Conclusions:

• The model explains microvilli formation as amplified cell surface fluctuations.
• Negative total surface tension is a key indicator for enhanced cell division in cancer.
• Cell membrane fluidity significantly impacts the rate of cancer cell division.