title: Atomic force microscopy of height fluctuations of fibroblast cells.
abstract: We investigated the nanometer scale height fluctuations of 3T3 fibroblast cells with the atomic force microscope under physiological conditions. A correlation between these fluctuations and lateral cellular motility can be observed. Fluctuations measured on leading edges appear to be predominantly related to actin polymerization-depolymerization processes. We found fast (5 Hz) pulsatory behavior with 1-2 nm amplitude on a cell with low motility showing emphasized structure of stress fibers. Myosin driven contractions of stress fibers are thought to induce this pulsation.
authors: Department of Biological Physics, Eötvös University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors: Bálint
authors: B
authors: Szabó
authors: Dávid
authors: D
authors: Selmeczi
authors: Zsuzsanna
authors: Z
authors: Környei
authors: Emília
authors: E
authors: Madarász
authors: Noémi
authors: N
authors: Rozlosnik
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002465:Cell Movement; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005910:Glioma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured