scholarly journals Optical volume and mass measurements show that mammalian cells swell during mitosis

2015 ◽  
Vol 211 (4) ◽  
pp. 765-774 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Zlotek-Zlotkiewicz ◽  
Sylvain Monnier ◽  
Giovanni Cappello ◽  
Mael Le Berre ◽  
Matthieu Piel

The extent, mechanism, and function of cell volume changes during specific cellular events, such as cell migration and cell division, have been poorly studied, mostly because of a lack of adequate techniques. Here we unambiguously report that a large range of mammalian cell types display a significant increase in volume during mitosis (up to 30%). We further show that this increase in volume is tightly linked to the mitotic state of the cell and not to its spread or rounded shape and is independent of the presence of an intact actomyosin cortex. Importantly, this volume increase is not accompanied by an increase in dry mass and thus corresponds to a decrease in cell density. This mitotic swelling might have important consequences for mitotic progression: it might contribute to produce strong pushing forces, allowing mitotic cells to round up; it might also, by lowering cytoplasmic density, contribute to the large change of physicochemical properties observed in mitotic cells.

2016 ◽  
Vol 473 (20) ◽  
pp. 3421-3449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignacio Amigo ◽  
Fernanda M. da Cunha ◽  
Maria Fernanda Forni ◽  
Wilson Garcia-Neto ◽  
Pâmela A. Kakimoto ◽  
...  

Aging is often accompanied by a decline in mitochondrial mass and function in different tissues. Additionally, cell resistance to stress is frequently found to be prevented by higher mitochondrial respiratory capacity. These correlations strongly suggest mitochondria are key players in aging and senescence, acting by regulating energy homeostasis, redox balance and signalling pathways central in these processes. However, mitochondria display a wide array of functions and signalling properties, and the roles of these different characteristics are still widely unexplored. Furthermore, differences in mitochondrial properties and responses between tissues and cell types, and how these affect whole body metabolism are also still poorly understood. This review uncovers aspects of mitochondrial biology that have an impact upon aging in model organisms and selected mammalian cells and tissues.


1990 ◽  
Vol 97 (4) ◽  
pp. 705-713
Author(s):  
R. Balczon ◽  
M.A. Accavitti ◽  
B.R. Brinkley

Monoclonal antibodies were raised against a complex of proteins that was purified following the crosslinking of tubulin to the centromeres of CHO chromosomes using Lomant's reagent. One of the clones, hybridoma 32–9, produced antibodies that reacted with a 40 × 10(3) Mr protein present in the crosslinked complex. Furthermore, immunoblot analysis demonstrated that the 40 × 10(3) Mr antigen was present in various mammalian cell types from several different species. Indirect immunofluorescence using the antibody produced by clone 32–9 demonstrated that the 40 × 10(3) Mr antigen was associated with both spindle and cytoplasmic microtubules. In addition, centromere/kinetochore staining was detected in metaphase-arrested cells, while staining of prekinetochores in interphase nuclei was not observed. Unlike microtubule-associated proteins and microtubule-dependent ATPases, the 40 × 10(3) Mr protein did not copurify with microtubules when tubules were assembled from cellular homogenates using taxol and either GTP or GTP and AMP-PNP. Instead, the 40 × 10(3) Mr protein remained associated with the insoluble cellular material. The 40 × 10(3) Mr antigen could be released from the insoluble pelleted material by extraction with 1 M NaCl. Once solubilized, the 40 × 10(3) Mr protein was able to copurify with microtubules in assembly assays in vitro. This monoclonal antibody should serve as a valuable probe for studies of centromere/kinetochore structure and function.


Author(s):  
Robert D. Goldman ◽  
Anne Goldman ◽  
Jonathan Jones ◽  
Linda Parysek

Intermediate filaments (IF) are major cytoskeletal components found in most mammalian cells. One of the most intriguing properties of IF is their high degree of variability with regard to their structural subunit proteins. This ariability is most evident when one compares the protein composition of IF from different cell types. For example, nerve cell IF (neurofilaments) contain the so-called neurofilament triplet proteins, while different epithelial cells contain two or more of the family of IF proteins called keratins. Indeed other cell types appear to have primarily a single subunit species such as in fibroblasts (vimentin, decamin) and muscle cells (desmin).In the specific case of the nervous system, there is very little information available on specific functions of neurofilaments, although they are thought to be involved in nerve cell shape formation and maintenance, as well as in axoplasmic transport and flow.


2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 1901-1917 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Groen ◽  
Asier Jayo ◽  
Maddy Parsons ◽  
Tina L. Tootle

Fascin, a highly conserved actin-bundling protein, localizes and functions at new cellular sites in both Drosophila and multiple mammalian cell types. During Drosophila follicle development, in addition to being cytoplasmic, Fascin is in the nuclei of the germline-derived nurse cells during stages 10B–12 (S10B–12) and at the nuclear periphery during stage 13 (S13). This localization is specific to Fascin, as other actin-binding proteins, Villin and Profilin, do not exhibit the same subcellular distribution. In addition, localization of fascin1 to the nucleus and nuclear periphery is observed in multiple mammalian cell types. Thus the regulation and function of Fascin at these new cellular locations is likely to be highly conserved. In Drosophila, loss of prostaglandin signaling causes a global reduction in nuclear Fascin and a failure to relocalize to the nuclear periphery. Alterations in nuclear Fascin levels result in defects in nucleolar morphology in both Drosophila follicles and cultured mammalian cells, suggesting that nuclear Fascin plays an important role in nucleolar architecture. Given the numerous roles of Fascin in development and disease, including cancer, our novel finding that Fascin has functions within the nucleus sheds new light on the potential roles of Fascin in these contexts.


Reproduction ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 157 (3) ◽  
pp. R85-R94
Author(s):  
Xiang Xiao ◽  
Yue Yang ◽  
Baiping Mao ◽  
C Yan Cheng ◽  
Ya Ni

SRC family kinases (SFKs) are known regulators of multiple cellular events, including cell movement, differentiation, proliferation, survival and apoptosis. SFKs are expressed virtually by all mammalian cells. They are non-receptor protein kinases that phosphorylate a variety of cellular proteins on tyrosine, leading to the activation of protein targets in response to environmental stimuli. Among SFKs, SRC, YES and FYN are the ubiquitously expressed and best studied members. In fact, SRC, the prototypical SFK, was the first tyrosine kinase identified in mammalian cells. Studies have shown that SFKs are regulators of cell junctions, and function in endocytosis and membrane trafficking to regulate junction restructuring events. Herein, we briefly summarize the recent findings in the field regarding the role of SFKs in the testis in regulating spermatogenesis, particularly in Sertoli–Sertoli and Sertoli–germ cell adhesion. While it is almost 50 years since the identification of the oncogene v-Src encoded by Rous sarcoma transforming virus, the understanding of SFK involvement during spermatogenesis in the testis remains far behind that in other epithelia and tissues. The goal of this review is to bridge this gap.


Author(s):  
K. Shankar Narayan ◽  
Kailash C. Gupta ◽  
Tohru Okigaki

The biological effects of short-wave ultraviolet light has generally been described in terms of changes in cell growth or survival rates and production of chromosomal aberrations. Ultrastructural changes following exposure of cells to ultraviolet light, particularly at 265 nm, have not been reported.We have developed a means of irradiating populations of cells grown in vitro to a monochromatic ultraviolet laser beam at a wavelength of 265 nm based on the method of Johnson. The cell types studies were: i) WI-38, a human diploid fibroblast; ii) CMP, a human adenocarcinoma cell line; and iii) Don C-II, a Chinese hamster fibroblast cell strain. The cells were exposed either in situ or in suspension to the ultraviolet laser (UVL) beam. Irradiated cell populations were studied either "immediately" or following growth for 1-8 days after irradiation.Differential sensitivity, as measured by survival rates were observed in the three cell types studied. Pattern of ultrastructural changes were also different in the three cell types.


1999 ◽  
Vol 81 (06) ◽  
pp. 951-956 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Corral ◽  
R. González-Conejero ◽  
J. Rivera ◽  
F. Ortuño ◽  
P. Aparicio ◽  
...  

SummaryThe variability of the platelet GP Ia/IIa density has been associated with the 807 C/T polymorphism (Phe 224) of the GP Ia gene in American Caucasian population. We have investigated the genotype and allelic frequencies of this polymorphism in Spanish Caucasians. The T allele was found in 35% of the 284 blood donors analyzed. We confirmed in 159 healthy subjects a significant association between the 807 C/T polymorphism and the platelet GP Ia density. The T allele correlated with high number of GP Ia molecules on platelet surface. In addition, we observed a similar association of this polymorphism with the expression of this protein in other blood cell types. The platelet responsiveness to collagen was determined by “in vitro” analysis of the platelet activation and aggregation response. We found no significant differences in these functional platelet parameters according to the 807 C/T genotype. Finally, results from 3 case/control studies involving 302 consecutive patients (101 with coronary heart disease, 104 with cerebrovascular disease and 97 with deep venous thrombosis) determined that the 807 C/T polymorphism of the GP Ia gene does not represent a risk factor for arterial or venous thrombosis.


Impact ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 (3) ◽  
pp. 89-91
Author(s):  
Shin-ichi Tate

The field of molecular biology has provided great insights into the structure and function of key molecules. Thanks to this area of research, we can now grasp the biological details of DNA and have characterised an enormous number of molecules in massive data bases. These 'biological periodic tables' have allowed scientists to connect molecules to particular cellular events, furthering scientific understanding of biological processes. However, molecular biology has yet to answer questions regarding 'higher-order' molecular architecture, such as that of chromatin. Chromatin is the molecular material that serves as the building block for chromosomes, the structures that carry an organism's genetic information inside of the cell's nucleus. Understanding the physical properties of chromatin is crucial in developing a more thorough picture of how chromatin's structure relate to its key cellular functions. Moreover, by establishing a physical model of chromatin, scientists will be able to open the doors into the true inner workings of the cell nucleus. Professor Shin-ichi Tate and his team of researchers at Hiroshima University's Research Center for the Mathematics on Chromatin Live Dynamics (RcMcD), are attempting to do just that. Through a five-year grant funded by the Platform for Dynamic Approaches to Living Systems from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Tate is aiming to gain a clearer understanding of the structure and dynamics of chromatin.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gotthold Fläschner ◽  
Cosmin I. Roman ◽  
Nico Strohmeyer ◽  
David Martinez-Martin ◽  
Daniel J. Müller

AbstractUnderstanding the viscoelastic properties of living cells and their relation to cell state and morphology remains challenging. Low-frequency mechanical perturbations have contributed considerably to the understanding, yet higher frequencies promise to elucidate the link between cellular and molecular properties, such as polymer relaxation and monomer reaction kinetics. Here, we introduce an assay, that uses an actuated microcantilever to confine a single, rounded cell on a second microcantilever, which measures the cell mechanical response across a continuous frequency range ≈ 1–40 kHz. Cell mass measurements and optical microscopy are co-implemented. The fast, high-frequency measurements are applied to rheologically monitor cellular stiffening. We find that the rheology of rounded HeLa cells obeys a cytoskeleton-dependent power-law, similar to spread cells. Cell size and viscoelasticity are uncorrelated, which contrasts an assumption based on the Laplace law. Together with the presented theory of mechanical de-embedding, our assay is generally applicable to other rheological experiments.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amitava Basu ◽  
Vijay K. Tiwari

AbstractEpigenetic mechanisms are known to define cell-type identity and function. Hence, reprogramming of one cell type into another essentially requires a rewiring of the underlying epigenome. Cellular reprogramming can convert somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that can be directed to differentiate to specific cell types. Trans-differentiation or direct reprogramming, on the other hand, involves the direct conversion of one cell type into another. In this review, we highlight how gene regulatory mechanisms identified to be critical for developmental processes were successfully used for cellular reprogramming of various cell types. We also discuss how the therapeutic use of the reprogrammed cells is beginning to revolutionize the field of regenerative medicine particularly in the repair and regeneration of damaged tissue and organs arising from pathological conditions or accidents. Lastly, we highlight some key challenges hindering the application of cellular reprogramming for therapeutic purposes.


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