scholarly journals On the relation between filament density, force generation, and protrusion rate in mesenchymal cell motility

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (22) ◽  
pp. 2674-2686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Setareh Dolati ◽  
Frieda Kage ◽  
Jan Mueller ◽  
Mathias Müsken ◽  
Marieluise Kirchner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leading Edge ◽  
Mesenchymal Cell ◽  
Retrograde Flow ◽  
Actin Network ◽  
Complex Activity ◽  
Membrane Protrusions ◽  
Flat Membrane ◽  
Density Dependency ◽  
Filament Network ◽  
Assembly Rate

Lamellipodia are flat membrane protrusions formed during mesenchymal motion. Polymerization at the leading edge assembles the actin filament network and generates protrusion force. How this force is supported by the network and how the assembly rate is shared between protrusion and network retrograde flow determines the protrusion rate. We use mathematical modeling to understand experiments changing the F-actin density in lamellipodia of B16-F1 melanoma cells by modulation of Arp2/3 complex activity or knockout of the formins FMNL2 and FMNL3. Cells respond to a reduction of density with a decrease of protrusion velocity, an increase in the ratio of force to filament number, but constant network assembly rate. The relation between protrusion force and tension gradient in the F-actin network and the density dependency of friction, elasticity, and viscosity of the network explain the experimental observations. The formins act as filament nucleators and elongators with differential rates. Modulation of their activity suggests an effect on network assembly rate. Contrary to these expectations, the effect of changes in elongator composition is much weaker than the consequences of the density change. We conclude that the force acting on the leading edge membrane is the force required to drive F-actin network retrograde flow.

scholarly journals Tracking Retrograde Flow in Keratocytes: News from the Front

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 1223-1231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascal Vallotton ◽  
Gaudenz Danuser ◽  
Sophie Bohnet ◽  
Jean-Jacques Meister ◽  
Alexander B. Verkhovsky
Keyword(s):  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Membrane Resistance ◽  
Retrograde Flow ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Actin Network ◽  
Freely Moving ◽  
Contractile Forces ◽  
Cell Motion ◽  
Shape Changes

Actin assembly at the leading edge of the cell is believed to drive protrusion, whereas membrane resistance and contractile forces result in retrograde flow of the assembled actin network away from the edge. Thus, cell motion and shape changes are expected to depend on the balance of actin assembly and retrograde flow. This idea, however, has been undermined by the reported absence of flow in one of the most spectacular models of cell locomotion, fish epidermal keratocytes. Here, we use enhanced phase contrast and fluorescent speckle microscopy and particle tracking to analyze the motion of the actin network in keratocyte lamellipodia. We have detected retrograde flow throughout the lamellipodium at velocities of 1–3 μm/min and analyzed its organization and relation to the cell motion during both unobstructed, persistent migration and events of cell collision. Freely moving cells exhibited a graded flow velocity increasing toward the sides of the lamellipodium. In colliding cells, the velocity decreased markedly at the site of collision, with striking alteration of flow in other lamellipodium regions. Our findings support the universality of the flow phenomenon and indicate that the maintenance of keratocyte shape during locomotion depends on the regulation of both retrograde flow and actin polymerization.

scholarly journals On the adhesion–velocity relation and length adaptation of motile cells on stepped fibronectin lanes

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. e2009959118
Author(s):  
Christoph Schreiber ◽  
Behnam Amiri ◽  
Johannes C. J. Heyn ◽  
Joachim O. Rädler ◽  
Martin Falcke
Keyword(s):  
Positive Feedback ◽  
Control Cell ◽  
Steady Motion ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Mesenchymal Cell ◽  
Force Balance ◽  
Cell Length ◽  
Retrograde Flow ◽  
Positive Feedbacks ◽  
Velocity Relation

The biphasic adhesion–velocity relation is a universal observation in mesenchymal cell motility. It has been explained by adhesion-promoted forces pushing the front and resisting motion at the rear. Yet, there is little quantitative understanding of how these forces control cell velocity. We study motion of MDA-MB-231 cells on microlanes with fields of alternating Fibronectin densities to address this topic and derive a mathematical model from the leading-edge force balance and the force-dependent polymerization rate. It reproduces quantitatively our measured adhesion–velocity relation and results with keratocytes, PtK1 cells, and CHO cells. Our results confirm that the force pushing the leading-edge membrane drives lamellipodial retrograde flow. Forces resisting motion originate along the whole cell length. All motion-related forces are controlled by adhesion and velocity, which allows motion, even with higher Fibronectin density at the rear than at the front. We find the pathway from Fibronectin density to adhesion structures to involve strong positive feedbacks. Suppressing myosin activity reduces the positive feedback. At transitions between different Fibronectin densities, steady motion is perturbed and leads to changes of cell length and front and rear velocity. Cells exhibit an intrinsic length set by adhesion strength, which, together with the length dynamics, suggests a spring-like front–rear interaction force. We provide a quantitative mechanistic picture of the adhesion–velocity relation and cell response to adhesion changes integrating force-dependent polymerization, retrograde flow, positive feedback from integrin to adhesion structures, and spring-like front–rear interaction.

scholarly journals Discrete mechanical model of lamellipodial actin network implements molecular clutch mechanism and generates arcs and microspikes

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. e1009506
Author(s):  
David M. Rutkowski ◽  
Dimitrios Vavylonis
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Flow Speed ◽  
Viscous Drag ◽  
Stress Profile ◽  
Retrograde Flow ◽  
Actin Network ◽  
Clutch Mechanism

Mechanical forces, actin filament turnover, and adhesion to the extracellular environment regulate lamellipodial protrusions. Computational and mathematical models at the continuum level have been used to investigate the molecular clutch mechanism, calculating the stress profile through the lamellipodium and around focal adhesions. However, the forces and deformations of individual actin filaments have not been considered while interactions between actin networks and actin bundles is not easily accounted with such methods. We develop a filament-level model of a lamellipodial actin network undergoing retrograde flow using 3D Brownian dynamics. Retrograde flow is promoted in simulations by pushing forces from the leading edge (due to actin polymerization), pulling forces (due to molecular motors), and opposed by viscous drag in cytoplasm and focal adhesions. Simulated networks have densities similar to measurements in prior electron micrographs. Connectivity between individual actin segments is maintained by permanent and dynamic crosslinkers. Remodeling of the network occurs via the addition of single actin filaments near the leading edge and via filament bond severing. We investigated how several parameters affect the stress distribution, network deformation and retrograde flow speed. The model captures the decrease in retrograde flow upon increase of focal adhesion strength. The stress profile changes from compression to extension across the leading edge, with regions of filament bending around focal adhesions. The model reproduces the observed reduction in retrograde flow speed upon exposure to cytochalasin D, which halts actin polymerization. Changes in crosslinker concentration and dynamics, as well as in the orientation pattern of newly added filaments demonstrate the model’s ability to generate bundles of filaments perpendicular (actin arcs) or parallel (microspikes) to the protruding direction.

Arp2/3 and Mena/VASP Require Profilin 1 for Actin Network Assembly at the Leading Edge

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen Skruber ◽  
Peyton Warp ◽  
Rachael Shklyarov ◽  
James D. Thomas ◽  
Maurice Swanson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leading Edge ◽  
Actin Network

scholarly journals Subcellular optogenetic activation of Cdc42 controls local and distal signaling to drive immune cell migration

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 1442-1450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick R. O’Neill ◽  
Vani Kalyanaraman ◽  
N. Gautam
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Signaling Networks ◽  
Membrane Protrusions ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Immune Cell Migration ◽  
Directional Cell Migration ◽  
Rhoa Signaling

Migratory immune cells use intracellular signaling networks to generate and orient spatially polarized responses to extracellular cues. The monomeric G protein Cdc42 is believed to play an important role in controlling the polarized responses, but it has been difficult to determine directly the consequences of localized Cdc42 activation within an immune cell. Here we used subcellular optogenetics to determine how Cdc42 activation at one side of a cell affects both cell behavior and dynamic molecular responses throughout the cell. We found that localized Cdc42 activation is sufficient to generate polarized signaling and directional cell migration. The optically activated region becomes the leading edge of the cell, with Cdc42 activating Rac and generating membrane protrusions driven by the actin cytoskeleton. Cdc42 also exerts long-range effects that cause myosin accumulation at the opposite side of the cell and actomyosin-mediated retraction of the cell rear. This process requires the RhoA-activated kinase ROCK, suggesting that Cdc42 activation at one side of a cell triggers increased RhoA signaling at the opposite side. Our results demonstrate how dynamic, subcellular perturbation of an individual signaling protein can help to determine its role in controlling polarized cellular responses.

scholarly journals Regulated Actin Cytoskeleton Assembly at Filopodium Tips Controls Their Extension and Retraction

1999 ◽  
Vol 146 (5) ◽  
pp. 1097-1106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aneil Mallavarapu ◽  
Tim Mitchison
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Growth Cone ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Neuroblastoma Cell ◽  
Initial Step ◽  
Growth Cones ◽  
Neuroblastoma Cell Line ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Retrograde Flow ◽  
Assembly Rate

The extension and retraction of filopodia in response to extracellular cues is thought to be an important initial step that determines the direction of growth cone advance. We sought to understand how the dynamic behavior of the actin cytoskeleton is regulated to produce extension or retraction. By observing the movement of fiduciary marks on actin filaments in growth cones of a neuroblastoma cell line, we found that filopodium extension and retraction are governed by a balance between the rate of actin cytoskeleton assembly at the tip and retrograde flow. Both assembly and flow rate can vary with time in a single filopodium and between filopodia in a single growth cone. Regulation of assembly rate is the dominant factor in controlling filopodia behavior in our system.

Actin network organization at the leading edge of crawling cells

2006 ◽  
Vol 39 ◽  
pp. S240
Author(s):  
S. Sun ◽  
D. Wirtz ◽  
E. Atilgan
Keyword(s):  
Leading Edge ◽  
Network Organization ◽  
Actin Network

scholarly journals Actomyosin-based Retrograde Flow of Microtubules in the Lamella of Migrating Epithelial Cells Influences Microtubule Dynamic Instability and Turnover and Is Associated with Microtubule Breakage and Treadmilling

1997 ◽  
Vol 139 (2) ◽  
pp. 417-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare M. Waterman-Storer ◽  
E.D. Salmon
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Dynamic Instability ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Unknown Origin ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Lung Epithelial Cells ◽  
Retrograde Flow ◽  
Microtubule Dynamic ◽  
Lung Epithelial ◽  
Time Lapse Imaging

We have discovered several novel features exhibited by microtubules (MTs) in migrating newt lung epithelial cells by time-lapse imaging of fluorescently labeled, microinjected tubulin. These cells exhibit leading edge ruffling and retrograde flow in the lamella and lamellipodia. The plus ends of lamella MTs persist in growth perpendicular to the leading edge until they reach the base of the lamellipodium, where they oscillate between short phases of growth and shortening. Occasionally “pioneering” MTs grow into the lamellipodium, where microtubule bending and reorientation parallel to the leading edge is associated with retrograde flow. MTs parallel to the leading edge exhibit significantly different dynamics from MTs perpendicular to the cell edge. Both parallel MTs and photoactivated fluorescent marks on perpendicular MTs move rearward at the 0.4 μm/min rate of retrograde flow in the lamella. MT rearward transport persists when MT dynamic instability is inhibited by 100-nM nocodazole but is blocked by inhibition of actomyosin by cytochalasin D or 2,3-butanedione–2-monoxime. Rearward flow appears to cause MT buckling and breaking in the lamella. 80% of free minus ends produced by breakage are stable; the others shorten and pause, leading to MT treadmilling. Free minus ends of unknown origin also depolymerize into the field of view at the lamella. Analysis of MT dynamics at the centrosome shows that these minus ends do not arise by centrosomal ejection and that ∼80% of the MTs in the lamella are not centrosome bound. We propose that actomyosin-based retrograde flow of MTs causes MT breakage, forming quasi-stable noncentrosomal MTs whose turnover is regulated primarily at their minus ends.

scholarly journals L1-dependent neuritogenesis involves ankyrinB that mediates L1-CAM coupling with retrograde actin flow

2003 ◽  
Vol 163 (5) ◽  
pp. 1077-1088 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazunari Nishimura ◽  
Fumie Yoshihara ◽  
Takuro Tojima ◽  
Noriko Ooashi ◽  
Woohyun Yoon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Adhesion Molecule ◽  
Traction Force ◽  
Neurite Growth ◽  
Growth Cones ◽  
Retrograde Flow ◽  
Actin Network ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Neurite Elongation ◽  
Neurite Initiation ◽  
Cell Adhesion Molecule L1

The cell adhesion molecule L1 (L1-CAM) plays critical roles in neurite growth. Its cytoplasmic domain (L1CD) binds to ankyrins that associate with the spectrin–actin network. This paper demonstrates that L1-CAM interactions with ankyrinB (but not with ankyrinG) are involved in the initial formation of neurites. In the membranous protrusions surrounding the soma before neuritogenesis, filamentous actin (F-actin) and ankyrinB continuously move toward the soma (retrograde flow). Bead-tracking experiments show that ankyrinB mediates L1-CAM coupling with retrograde F-actin flow in these perisomatic structures. Ligation of the L1-CAM ectodomain by an immobile substrate induces L1CD–ankyrinB binding and the formation of stationary ankyrinB clusters. Neurite initiation preferentially occurs at the site of these clusters. In contrast, ankyrinB is involved neither in L1-CAM coupling with F-actin flow in growth cones nor in L1-based neurite elongation. Our results indicate that ankyrinB promotes neurite initiation by acting as a component of the clutch module that transmits traction force generated by F-actin flow to the extracellular substrate via L1-CAM.

scholarly journals WAVE1 and WAVE2 have distinct and overlapping roles in controlling actin assembly at the leading edge

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (20) ◽  
pp. 2168-2178
Author(s):  
Qing Tang ◽  
Matthias Schaks ◽  
Neha Koundinya ◽  
Changsong Yang ◽  
Luther W. Pollard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leading Edge ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Actin Network ◽  
Actin Nucleation ◽  
Lamellipodia Formation ◽  
Network Extension

This study shows that WAVE1 and WAVE2 have redundant roles as actin nucleation-promoting factors (NPFs) in promoting lamellipodia formation, but also unique and nonoverlapping roles in controlling the rate of actin network extension, with WAVE2 promoting and WAVE1 restricting growth.

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