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Updated: Oct 13, 2026

Protrusion Force Microscopy: A Method to Quantify Forces Developed by Cell Protrusions
Published on: June 16, 2018
Protrusive activity quantitatively determines the rate and direction of cell locomotion
1Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Locomoting blebbing cells have been used as a model to obtain novel insight into the mechanisms of cell locomotion. We tested the hypothesis that locomotion can be due to progressive one-sided protrusion of cellular volume into pseudopods. The hypothesis is supported by the finding that the rate and direction of locomotion of individual Walker carcinosarcoma cells can be predicted by sequential measurement of protrusive activity. Protrusive activity at the front is closely associated with forward movement of the rear part of the cell. During bleb formation the cell membrane of Walker carcinosarcoma cells is pushed forward faster (1.2-4.1 microns/sec) than known rates of actin elongation.
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