Dynamic assembly of surface structures in living cells.
Although the dynamics of cell membranes and associated structures is vital for cell function, little is known due to lack of suitable methods. We found, using scanning ion conductance microscopy, that microvilli, membrane projections supported by internal actin bundles, undergo a life cycle: fast height-dependent growth, relatively short steady state, and slow height-independent retraction. The microvilli can aggregate into relatively stable structures where the steady state is extended. We suggest that the intrinsic dynamics of microvilli, combined with their ability to make stable structures, allows them to act as elementary "building blocks" for the assembly of specialized structures on the cell surface.
Division of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom.
Julia
J
Gorelik
Andrew I
AI
Shevchuk
Gregory I
GI
Frolenkov
Ivan A
IA
Diakonov
Max J
MJ
Lab
Corne J
CJ
Kros
Guy P
GP
Richardson
Igor
I
Vodyanoy
Christopher R W
CR
Edwards
David
D
Klenerman
Yuri E
YE
Korchev
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002458:Cell Fractionation / Q000379:methods; D002460:Cell Line; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008871:Microvilli / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D009925:Organ of Corti / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019459:Urothelium / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure*