Mechanical behavior in living cells consistent with the tensegrity model

摘要: Alternative models of cell mechanics depict the living as a simple mechanical continuum, porous filament gel, tensed cortical membrane, or tensegrity network that maintains stabilizing prestress through incorporation discrete structural elements bear compression. Real-time microscopic analysis cells containing GFP-labeled microtubules and associated mitochondria revealed behave like structures composed an interconnected actin microfilaments when stresses are applied to surface integrin receptors. Quantitation tractional forces cellular by using traction force microscopy confirmed compression responsible for significant portion cytoskeletal determines shape stability under conditions in which myosin light chain phosphorylation intracellular calcium remained unchanged. Quantitative measurements both static dynamic behaviors also were consistent with specific priori predictions model. These findings suggest represents unified model may help explain how emerge collective interactions among different filaments extracellular adhesions cells.