Regensburg 2004 – scientific programme

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AKB: Biologische Physik

AKB 12: Active Systems: Complex Cellular Processes

AKB 12.4: Invited Talk

Monday, March 8, 2004, 16:00–16:30, H40

Investigating Cell Division and Cell Protrusion by AFM — •Manfred Radmacher — Institut für Biophysik, Universität Bremen

We have used an AFM to investigate the mechanical properties of the cells cytoskeleton during dynamical processes like cell migration and division. Actin is in the case of fibroblasts cells the major cellular components responsible for the cellular stiffness. Stiffness is increased further by myosin II creating cortical tension. When myosin function is diminished by inhibiting the myosin light chain kinase a decrease in stiffness can be observed. This is congruent with importance of both actin and myosin in processes like cell migration and cell division. In cell division for instance a rapid and large increase in stiffness is observed in the region where the cleavage furrow will form. This is congruent with results from cellular biology and supports the equatorial stiffening model of cytokinesis which has been one out of several models suggested.