Open AccessOn the adhesion–velocity relation and length adaptation of motile cells on stepped fibronectin lanes
Author(s) -
Christoph Schreiber,
Behnam Amiri,
Jens Heyn,
Joachim O. Rädler,
Martin Falcke
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2009959118
Subject(s) - adhesion , fibronectin , biophysics , front velocity , motility , myosin , cell adhesion , dynamics (music) , front (military) , mechanics , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , physics , biology , extracellular matrix , organic chemistry , meteorology , acoustics
Significance Cells exert forces on their environment by contracting actin networks, friction of intracellular F-actin flow, and polymerization when they move, e.g., during tumor metastasis or development. In this context, the relation between adhesion and cell velocity is a general cell-type-independent observation, the investigation of which bears the chance of understanding basic mechanisms. Restricting cell motion to one-dimensional lanes simplifies the problem and allows for comparison to mathematical models. Polymerization at the cell’s leading edge drives F-actin network flow and pushes the membrane. The drag of detaching the cell, the membrane, and the cell body resist motion. Since only velocity-controlled forces shape motion, cells can move even across highly adhesive areas without getting stuck.