scholarly journals A Three-Dimensional Numerical Model of an Active Cell Cortex in the Viscous Limit

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Bächer ◽  
Diana Khoromskaia ◽  
Guillaume Salbreux ◽  
Stephan Gekle
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Dynamic Network ◽  
Force Balance ◽  
Cell Cortex ◽  
Balance Equations ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
General Force ◽  
Fold Formation ◽  
Viscous Limit

The cell cortex is a highly dynamic network of cytoskeletal filaments in which motor proteins induce active cortical stresses which in turn drive dynamic cellular processes such as cell motility, furrow formation or cytokinesis during cell division. Here, we develop a three-dimensional computational model of a cell cortex in the viscous limit including active cortical flows. Combining active gel and thin shell theory, we base our computational tool directly on the force balance equations for the velocity field on a discretized and arbitrarily deforming cortex. Since our method is based on the general force balance equations, it can easily be extended to more complex biological dependencies in terms of the constitutive laws or a dynamic coupling to a suspending fluid. We validate our algorithm by investigating the formation of a cleavage furrow on a biological cell immersed in a passive outer fluid, where we successfully compare our results to axi-symmetric simulations. We then apply our fully three-dimensional algorithm to fold formation and to study furrow formation under the influence of non-axisymmetric disturbances such as external shear. We report a reorientation mechanism by which the cell autonomously realigns its axis perpendicular to the furrow plane thus contributing to the robustness of cell division under realistic environmental conditions.

Confocal microscopy of the cytoskeleton in living plant cells following microinjection of fluorescent probes

1993 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. 130-131
Author(s):  
Ann Cleary
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Fluorescent Probes ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Intracellular Transport ◽  
Cell Structure ◽  
Plant Cells ◽  
Cell Plate ◽  
Cell Cortex ◽  
Living Plant ◽  
Rhodamine Phalloidin

Microinjection of fluorescent probes into living plant cells reveals new aspects of cell structure and function. Microtubules and actin filaments are dynamic components of the cytoskeleton and are involved in cell growth, division and intracellular transport. To date, cytoskeletal probes used in microinjection studies have included rhodamine-phalloidin for labelling actin filaments and fluorescently labelled animal tubulin for incorporation into microtubules. From a recent study of Tradescantia stamen hair cells it appears that actin may have a role in defining the plane of cell division. Unlike microtubules, actin is present in the cell cortex and delimits the division site throughout mitosis. Herein, I shall describe actin, its arrangement and putative role in cell plate placement, in another material, living cells of Tradescantia leaf epidermis.The epidermis is peeled from the abaxial surface of young leaves usually without disruption to cytoplasmic streaming or cell division. The peel is stuck to the base of a well slide using 0.1% polyethylenimine and bathed in a solution of 1% mannitol +/− 1 mM probenecid.

Dysregulation of HOX as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Breast Cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji-Yeon Lee ◽  
Myoung Hee Kim
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Hox Genes ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Genome Structure ◽  
Control Cell ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Hox Protein

: HOX genes belong to the highly conserved homeobox superfamily, responsible for the regulation of various cellular processes that control cell homeostasis, from embryogenesis to carcinogenesis. The abnormal expression of HOX genes is observed in various cancers, including breast cancer; they act as oncogenes or as suppressors of cancer, according to context. In this review, we analyze HOX gene expression patterns in breast cancer and examine their relationship, based on the three-dimensional genome structure of the HOX locus. The presence of non-coding RNAs, embedded within the HOX cluster, and the role of these molecules in breast cancer have been reviewed. We further evaluate the characteristic activity of HOX protein in breast cancer and its therapeutic potential.

Obstacle drag in stratified flow

1990 ◽  
Vol 429 (1876) ◽  
pp. 119-140 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Linear Density ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Inviscid Flow ◽  
Force Balance ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Lee Waves ◽  
Time Variations ◽  
Obstacle Height ◽  
Stable Linear

This paper describes an experimental study of the drag of two- and three-dimensional bluff obstacles of various cross-stream shapes when towed through a fluid having a stable, linear density gradient with Brunt-Vaisala frequency, N . Drag measurements were made directly using a force balance, and effects of obstacle blockage ( h / D , where h and D are the obstacle height and the fluid depth, respectively) and Reynolds number were effectively eliminated. It is shown that even in cases where the downstream lee waves and propagating columnar waves are of large amplitude, the variation of drag with the parameter K ( = ND /π U ) is qualitatively close to that implied by linear theories, with drag minima existing at integral values of K . Under certain conditions large, steady, periodic variations in drag occur. Simultaneous drag measurements and video recordings of the wakes show that this unsteadiness is linked directly with time-variations in the lee and columnar wave amplitudes. It is argued that there are, therefore, situations where the inviscid flow is always unsteady even for large times; the consequent implications for atmospheric motions are discussed.

The Efficiency of Tidal Fences: A Brief Review and Further Discussion on the Effect of Wake Mixing

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takafumi Nishino ◽  
Richard H. J. Willden
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Theoretical Investigation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Physical Factors ◽  
Balance Equations ◽  
Order Model ◽  
Near Wake ◽  
New Model ◽  
Actuator Disk ◽  
Limiting Efficiency

Recent discoveries on the limiting efficiency of tidal fences are reviewed, followed by a new theoretical investigation into the effect of wake mixing on the efficiency of ‘full’ tidal fences (i.e. turbines arrayed regularly across an entire channel span). The new model is based on the momentum and energy balance equations but includes several unclosed terms, which depend on the actual (three-dimensional) characteristics of turbine near-wake mixing and therefore need to be modelled empirically. The new model agrees well with three-dimensional actuator disk simulations when those unclosed terms are assessed based on the simulations themselves, suggesting that this low-order model could serve as a basis to analyse how various physical factors (such as the design of turbines) affect the limiting efficiency of tidal fences via changes in those terms describing the characteristics of turbine near-wake mixing. Also discussed is the effect of wake mixing on the efficiency of ‘partial’ tidal fences.

Asymmetric cell division in fucoid algae: a role for cortical adhesions in alignment of the mitotic apparatus

2001 ◽  
Vol 114 (23) ◽  
pp. 4319-4328
Author(s):  
Sherryl R. Bisgrove ◽  
Darryl L. Kropf
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Asymmetric Cell Division ◽  
Cell Cortex ◽  
Mitotic Apparatus ◽  
Pharmacological Agents ◽  
Division Plane ◽  
Adhesion Sites ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Pelvetia Compressa ◽  
Two Phases

The first cell division in zygotes of the fucoid brown alga Pelvetia compressa is asymmetric and we are interested in the mechanism controlling the alignment of this division. Since the division plane bisects the mitotic apparatus, we investigated the timing and mechanism of spindle alignments. Centrosomes, which give rise to spindle poles, aligned with the growth axis in two phases – a premetaphase rotation of the nucleus and centrosomes followed by a postmetaphase alignment that coincided with the separation of the mitotic spindle poles during anaphase and telophase. The roles of the cytoskeleton and cell cortex in the two phases of alignment were analyzed by treatment with pharmacological agents. Treatments that disrupted cytoskeleton or perturbed cortical adhesions inhibited pre-metaphase alignment and we propose that this rotational alignment is effected by microtubules anchored at cortical adhesion sites. Postmetaphase alignment was not affected by any of the treatments tested, and may be dependent on asymmetric cell morphology.

Design and Experimental Study of a Bioinspired Wall-Climbing Robot With Multi-Locomotion Modes

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linsen Xu ◽  
Jinfu Liu ◽  
Jiajun Xu ◽  
Xuan Wu ◽  
Shengyao Fan
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Prototyping ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Adhesive Force ◽  
Force Balance ◽  
Switching System ◽  
Climbing Robot ◽  
Dynamics Model ◽  
Balance Equations ◽  
Vacuum Generator ◽  
Overturning Moment

In this article, a novel wall-climbing locomotion mechanism, which can adapt multiple wall surfaces is developed to imitate the special animals, such as geckoes or flies. The spiny and adhesive belts are adopted in this robot to implement climbing on different kinds of wall surfaces instead of the vacuum generator for moving quietly and quickly. The switching mechanism is brought out to realize the belts switching between different surfaces, and a tail made up of two torsional springs and a supporting part is designed to overcome the robot’s overturning moment. So the mechanical system of the robot consists of four parts: the power and drive system, the moving mechanisms (spiny and adhesive), the switching system and the tail. Then the virtual prototyping of the robot with multi-locomotion modes is brought out, and the different gaits on the rough surface, the smooth surface and the transition process are analyzed. During the spine gait using the spine belts, the adhesive force should overcome the robot gravity and drive it, so the drive torque can obtained by building the force balance equations of the robot, which include the supporting forces of the spine belts and the tail. During the adhesive gait using the adhesive rubber belts, the force balance equations should include the supporting forces of the adhesive belts and the tail. And during the transition gait, the force balance equations include all of the above forces. So the mechanical model of the robot can be built according to the above analysis. Finally, the experimental prototype of the wall-climbing robot is manufactured and the wall-climbing experiments are carried out to testify its functions. The experiments show that the robot can adapt to different wall surfaces, and the torque parameters obtained based on the dynamics model can ensure the robot to locomote stably.

scholarly journals Improved convergence and stability properties in a three-dimensional higher-order ice sheet model

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 1569-1610
Author(s):  
J. J. Fürst ◽  
O. Rybak ◽  
H. Goelzer ◽  
B. De Smedt ◽  
P. de Groen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Field ◽  
Finite Difference ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Velocity Fields ◽  
Force Balance ◽  
Staggered Grid ◽  
Comparison Results ◽  
Resultant Velocity

Abstract. We present a novel finite difference implementation of a three-dimensional higher-order ice sheet model that performs well both in terms of convergence rate and numerical stability. In order to achieve these benefits the discretisation of the governing force balance equation makes extensive use of information on staggered grid points. Using the same iterative solver, an existing discretisation that operates exclusively on the regular grid serves as a reference. Participation in the ISMIP-HOM benchmark indicates that both discretisations are capable of reproducing the higher-order model inter-comparison results. This allows a direct comparison not only of the resultant velocity fields but also of the solver's convergence behaviour which holds main differences. First and foremost, the new finite difference scheme facilitates convergence by a factor of up to 7 and 2.6 in average. In addition to this decrease in computational costs, the precision for the resultant velocity field can be chosen higher in the novel finite difference implementation. For high precisions, the old discretisation experiences difficulties to converge due to large variation in the velocity fields of consecutive Picard iterations. Finally, changing discretisation prevents build-up of local field irregularites that occasionally cause divergence of the solution for the reference discretisation. The improved behaviour makes the new discretisation more reliable for extensive application to real ice geometries. Higher precision and robust numerics are crucial in time dependent applications since numerical oscillations in the velocity field of subsequent time steps are attenuated and divergence of the solution is prevented. Transient applications also benefit from the increased computational efficiency.

scholarly journals E11/gp38 Selective Expression in Osteocytes: Regulation by Mechanical Strain and Role in Dendrite Elongation

2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 4539-4552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keqin Zhang ◽  
Cielo Barragan-Adjemian ◽  
Ling Ye ◽  
Shiva Kotha ◽  
Mark Dallas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Mechanical Load ◽  
Mechanical Strain ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Bone Surface ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Primary Osteoblasts

ABSTRACT Within mineralized bone, osteocytes form dendritic processes that travel through canaliculi to make contact with other osteocytes and cells on the bone surface. This three-dimensional syncytium is thought to be necessary to maintain viability, cell-to-cell communication, and mechanosensation. E11/gp38 is the earliest osteocyte-selective protein to be expressed as the osteoblast differentiates into an osteoid cell or osteocyte, first appearing on the forming dendritic processes of these cells. Bone extracts contain large amounts of E11, but immunostaining only shows its presence in early osteocytes compared to more deeply embedded cells, suggesting epitope masking by mineral. Freshly isolated primary osteoblasts are negative for E11 expression but begin to express this protein in culture, and expression increases with time, suggesting differentiation into the osteocyte phenotype. Osteoblast-like cell lines 2T3 and Oct-1 also show increased expression of E11 with differentiation and mineralization. E11 is highly expressed in MLO-Y4 osteocyte-like cells compared to osteoblast cell lines and primary osteoblasts. Differentiated, mineralized 2T3 cells and MLO-Y4 cells subjected to fluid flow shear stress show an increase in mRNA for E11. MLO-Y4 cells show an increase in dendricity and elongation of dendrites in response to shear stress that is blocked by small interfering RNA specific to E11. In vivo, E11 expression is also increased by a mechanical load, not only in osteocytes near the bone surface but also in osteocytes more deeply embedded in bone. Maximal expression is observed not in regions of maximal strain but in a region of potential bone remodeling, suggesting that dendrite elongation may be occurring during this process. These data suggest that osteocytes may be able to extend their cellular processes after embedment in mineralized matrix and have implications for osteocytic modification of their microenvironment.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document