title: External forces control mitotic spindle positioning.
abstract: The response of cells to forces is essential for tissue morphogenesis and homeostasis. This response has been extensively investigated in interphase cells, but it remains unclear how forces affect dividing cells. We used a combination of micro-manipulation tools on human dividing cells to address the role of physical parameters of the micro-environment in controlling the cell division axis, a key element of tissue morphogenesis. We found that forces applied on the cell body direct spindle orientation during mitosis. We further show that external constraints induce a polarization of dynamic subcortical actin structures that correlate with spindle movements. We propose that cells divide according to cues provided by their mechanical micro-environment, aligning daughter cells with the external force field.
authors.affiliation: Institut Curie, CNRS UMR 144, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75248 Paris Cedex 05, France.
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Carpi
authors.forename: Timo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Betz
authors.forename: Angelique
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bétard
authors.forename: Meriem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chebah
authors.forename: Ammar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azioune
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bornens
authors.forename: Cecile
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sykes
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fetler
authors.forename: Damien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cuvelier
authors.forename: Matthieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piel
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D016764:Cell Polarity; D048430:Cell Shape; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D008938:Mitosis; D009024:Morphogenesis; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012399:Rotation; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013997:Time Factors; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D005353:Fibronectins; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins