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Cell motility driven by actin polymerization

A Mogilner1, G Oster

  • 1Department of Mathematics, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.

Biophysical Journal
|December 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Thermal motions of polymerizing filaments drive cellular movements like Listeria propulsion and lamellipodia protrusion. This "elastic Brownian ratchet" model explains directed force generation in biological systems.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Cellular movements, including embryonic cell migration and bacterial propulsion (e.g., Listeria monocytogenes), are often driven by actin polymerization.
  • Previous models, like the Brownian ratchet, explained force generation by polymerizing filaments but assumed filament stiffness and focused on load fluctuations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of thermal motions of polymerizing filaments in generating directed cellular forces.
  • To propose an "elastic Brownian ratchet" model that accounts for observed cellular propulsion and protrusion mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical modeling of actin filament polymerization dynamics.
  • Analysis of thermal fluctuations in polymerizing filaments and their effect on load movement.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Quantitative comparison of model predictions with experimental observations of Listeria propulsion and lamellipodia mechanics.

    • Main Results:

    • Demonstrated that thermal motions of polymerizing filaments, not just load fluctuations, can produce directed force.
    • The "elastic Brownian ratchet" model quantitatively explains the propulsion of Listeria monocytogenes.
    • The model also accounts for the protrusive mechanics of lamellipodia and the nucleation of orthogonal actin networks.

    Conclusions:

    • Thermal fluctuations of actin filaments are a key mechanism for generating directed forces in cellular processes.
    • The elastic Brownian ratchet model provides a unified explanation for diverse actin-driven cellular movements.
    • This model highlights the importance of filament dynamics in cellular mechanics and morphogenesis.