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

Elisabeth Ghabache, Yuansheng Cao, Yuchuan Miao, Alex Groisman, Peter N. Devreotes, Wouter Jan Rappel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere10505
JournalMolecular systems biology
Volume17
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Immunology and Microbiology
  • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
  • Applied Mathematics

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