Drag force as a tool to test the active mechanical response of PC12 neurites.
We investigate the mechanical response of PC12 neurites subjected to a drag force imposed by a laminar flow perpendicular to the neurite axis. The curvature of the catenary shape acquired by an initially straight neurite under the action of the drag force provides information on both elongation and tension of the neurite. This method allows us to measure the rest tension and viscoelastic parameters of PC12 neurites and active behavior of neurites. Measurement of oscillations in the strain rate of neurites at constant flow rate provides insight on the response of molecular motors and additional support for the presence of a negative strain-rate sensitivity region in the global mechanical response of PC12 neurites.
Departmento de Física and Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research in Materials, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile. roberto.bernal@usach.cl
Roberto
R
Bernal
Francisco
F
Melo
Pramod A
PA
Pullarkat
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / Q000494:pharmacology; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D004548:Elasticity / Q000187:drug effects; D016501:Neurites / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D015739:Nocodazole / Q000494:pharmacology; D016716:PC12 Cells; D051381:Rats; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D053778:Thiazolidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors; D014783:Viscosity / Q000187:drug effects
D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; D053778:Thiazolidines; D015739:Nocodazole; C037067:latrunculin A