Role of membrane-actin cytoskeleton linkage in defining cellular traction forces

Shibil, Ahammad (2019) Role of membrane-actin cytoskeleton linkage in defining cellular traction forces. Masters thesis, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata.

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Abstract

In the physiological condition, the cell is either connected to neighboring cells or surrounded by an extracellular matrix of different stiffness or both, which determines the cellular functioning. Cells sense and exert physical force to probe the environment and cellular processes. Cell traction force is a force that the cell elicits on the extracellular matrix; it emerges as an essential in many aspects of cellular functioning, ranging from cell growth, proliferation, differentiation to cells division and migration. Cell traction force microscopy gives a spatial resolution of force through quantification of deformation of gel. The primary source of cellular traction is believed to be the focal adhesion complex is connected with contractile stress fibers at two distal end. However, the overall mechanics of cells such as cellular contractility and rigidity are also determined by membrane cortex linkage dominated by membrane cortex linker (Ezrin). The role of membrane cortex linkages in determining cell traction force remains elusive. In this study, we modulated the density of Ezrin protein on the membrane either by using specific ezrin inhibitor or eliciting EGF signaling to increase membrane-bound ezrin and then measured traction force under these conditions. We report that membrane cortex linkage reduction reduces cellular traction, and enhancement leads to high traction force. The molecular mechanism of membrane cortex linkage coupled with cell traction force is not explicit and is beyond the scope of the master thesis. Finally, we conclude that membrane cortex linkage also plays a significant role in defining overall cell traction force.

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