Coupling traction force patterns and actomyosin wave dynamics reveals mechanics of cell motion

Abstract: Motile cells can use and switch between different modes of migration. Here, we use traction force microscopy and fluorescent labeling of actin and myosin to quantify and correlate traction force patterns and cytoskeletal distributions in Dictyostelium discoideum cells that move and switch between keratocyte‐like fan‐shaped, oscillatory, and amoeboid modes. We find that the wave dynamics of the cytoskeletal components critically determine the traction force pattern, cell morphology, and migration mode. Furthermore, we find that fan‐shaped cells can exhibit two different propulsion mechanisms, each with a distinct traction force pattern. Finally, the traction force patterns can be recapitulated using a computational model, which uses the experimentally determined spatiotemporal distributions of actin and myosin forces and a viscous cytoskeletal network. Our results suggest that cell motion can be generated by friction between the flow of this network and the substrate.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Coupling traction force patterns and actomyosin wave dynamics reveals mechanics of cell motion ; volume:17 ; number:12 ; year:2021 ; extent:21 ; Molecular systems biology ; 17, Heft 12 (2021) (gesamt 21)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Ghabache, Elisabeth ; Cao, Yuansheng ; Miao, Yuchuan ; Groisman, Alex ; Devreotes, Peter N. ; Rappel, Wouter‐Jan

Further information

• DOI: 10.15252/msb.202110505
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2021121314062117913731
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:24 AM CEST