Do cell membranes support or resist tension propagation?

Abstract

In cell migration, protrusions have been proposed to communicate with one another via long-range membrane tension propagation for the winner-take-all, thereby establishing the axis of cell movement. This coordination among protrusions necessitates rapid propagation of membrane tension across the cell. However, several prominent studies suggested otherwise, reporting that cell membranes resist tension propagation and challenging the role of membrane tension as a global integrator in cell physiology. The field hence remains largely divided over the debate of tension propagation, and one source of disagreement stems from differences in methodology. Experiments showing global tension propagation relied on endogenous mechanical perturbations from the cell, while others unable to detect propagation employed exogenous force applications to mimic endogenous counterparts.