Tensile stress stimulates microtubule outgrowth in living cells.
Cell motility is driven by the sum of asymmetric traction forces exerted on the substrate through adhesion foci that interface with the actin cytoskeleton. Establishment of this asymmetry involves microtubules, which exert a destabilising effect on adhesion foci via targeting events. Here, we demonstrate the existence of a mechano-sensing mechanism that signals microtubule polymerisation and guidance of the microtubules towards adhesion sites under increased stress. Stress was applied either by manipulating the body of cells moving on glass with a microneedle or by stretching a flexible substrate that cells were migrating on. We propose a model for this mechano-sensing phenomenon whereby microtubule polymerisation is stimulated and guided through the interaction of a microtubule tip complex with actin filaments under tension.
Kaverina
Irina
I
Institute of Molecular Biology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, A-5020, Austria.
Krylyshkina
Olga
O
Beningo
Karen
K
Anderson
Kurt
K
Wang
Yu-Li
YL
Small
J Victor
JV
D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005246:Feedback / Q000502:physiology; D008545:Melanoma; D051379:Mice; D008870:Microtubules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D011554:Pseudopodia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013718:Tensile Strength / Q000502:physiology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors