September 2019 Newsletter: Membrane Tension and Actin Cytoskeleton Interact to Regulate Cell Motility

Plasma membrane tension regulates many cellular functions, including exocytosis, endocytosis, division, and motility^1-6, all of which require a re-shaping of cellular morphology, which in turn relies upon an interplay between plasma membrane deformation and remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton^1,3,5-9. This newsletter discusses coordinated interactions between the actin cytoskeleton and membrane tension during motility-associated morphogenesis.

Directed cell motility requires dynamic re-organization of the actin cytoskeleton at the front and rear of the cell (leading edge and trailing edge, respectively) with actin-based lamellipodial protrusions extending and pulling the cell forward in parallel with retraction at the trailing edge via changes in adhesion sites and RhoA-mediated actomyosin contractility^8,10,11. As actin-based protrusions push the leading edge of motile cells forward and there is contraction at the trailing edge, the plasma membrane is deformed, changing membrane tension. Directed motility relies upon a balance between actin cytoskeleton remodeling and changes in membrane tension due to deformation⁸ (Fig. 1).

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 Also included in this newsletter:

• Tubulin and Actin Live Cell Reagents, G-LISA Activation Assay Kits, Tubulin Kits, Actin Biochem Kits

• Related Publications