Induction of cell processes by local force

Abstract

A method of applying local mechanical force to the plasma membrane of mouse embryo fibroblasts is described. The force is generated by local treatment of cells with an alternating current (a.c.) electrical field. The phenomenon of cell process formation under the action of this force was investigated. Inhibitors of actin polymerization did not prevent generation of processes in the electrical field. At the early stages of cell spreading, the processes could be induced at any part of the cell membrane. After cell polarization was completed, protrusions could be formed at the active edge of the cell, but not at its stable edge. Pre-existing protrusions (but not retraction fibers) could be elongated by the external force. The results of these experiments demonstrate that different areas of the cell membrane differ in their ability to form processes under the action of a membrane-applied force. The significance of these data to the structure of the cortical layer is discussed.