Single cells spreading on a protein lattice adopt an energy minimizing shape.
When spreading onto a protein microlattice living cells spontaneously acquire simple shapes determined by the lattice geometry. This suggests that, on a lattice, living cells' shapes are in thermodynamic metastable states. Using a model at thermodynamic equilibrium we are able to reproduce the observed shapes. We build a phase diagram based on two adimensional parameters characterizing essential cellular properties involved in spreading: the cell's compressibility and fluctuations.
Vianay
Benoit
B
Institut Néel, CNRS et Université Joseph Fourier, BP166, 38042 Grenoble Cédex 9, France.
Käfer
Jos
J
Planus
Emmanuelle
E
Block
Marc
M
Graner
François
F
Guillou
Hervé
H
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000502:physiology; D019245:Compressive Strength; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004548:Elasticity; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D013816:Thermodynamics
D000199:Actins; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins