title: Deconvolution of the cellular force-generating subsystems that govern cytokinesis furrow ingression.
abstract: Cytokinesis occurs through the coordinated action of several biochemically-mediated stresses acting on the cytoskeleton. Here, we develop a computational model of cellular mechanics, and using a large number of experimentally measured biophysical parameters, we simulate cell division under a number of different scenarios. We demonstrate that traction-mediated protrusive forces or contractile forces due to myosin II are sufficient to initiate furrow ingression. Furthermore, we show that passive forces due to the cell's cortical tension and surface curvature allow the furrow to complete ingression. We compare quantitatively the furrow thinning trajectories obtained from simulation with those observed experimentally in both wild-type and myosin II null Dictyostelium cells. Our simulations highlight the relative contributions of different biomechanical subsystems to cell shape progression during cell division.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America.
authors.forename: Christopher C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Poirier
authors.forename: Win Pin
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Douglas N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Pablo A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Iglesias
mesh_terms: D048429:Cell Size; D003198:Computer Simulation; D048749:Cytokinesis / Q000502:physiology*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000502:physiology*; D004023:Dictyostelium / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D024462:Myosin Type II / Q000502:physiology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
chemical_list: D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins; D024462:Myosin Type II