Traction Dynamics of Filopodia on Compliant Substrates
Abstract
Cells sense the environment's mechanical stiffness to control their own shape, migration, and fate. To better understand stiffness sensing, we constructed a stochastic model of the “motor-clutch” force transmission system, where molecular clutches link F-actin to the substrate and mechanically resist myosin-driven F-actin retrograde flow. The model predicts two distinct regimes: (i) “frictional slippage,” with fast retrograde flow and low traction forces on stiff substrates and (ii) oscillatory “load-and-fail” dynamics, with slower retrograde flow and higher traction forces on soft substrates. We experimentally confirmed these model predictions in embryonic chick forebrain neurons by measuring the nanoscale dynamics of single–growth-cone filopodia. Furthermore, we experimentally observed a model-predicted switch in F-actin dynamics around an elastic modulus of 1 kilopascal. Thus, a motor-clutch system inherently senses and responds to the mechanical stiffness of the local environment.
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This research was supported by the Institute for Engineering in Medicine at the University of Minnesota, NSF (grant MCB-0615568), and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (grant R01-GM-76177). We thank P. Letourneau, D. Bray, and E. Tuzel for stimulating discussions; N. Simha for helpful discussions on gel mechanics; N. Koyano for assistance with in ovo electroporation; and members of the Odde Lab, D. Seetapun, A. Bicek, M. Gardner, and T. Dahl for technical assistance.
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Published In
Science
Volume 322 | Issue 5908
12 December 2008
12 December 2008
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American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Submission history
Received: 22 July 2008
Accepted: 29 October 2008
Published in print: 12 December 2008
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www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/322/5908/1687/DC1
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- Clarence E. Chan,
- David J. Odde
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