Dresden 2014 – wissenschaftliches Programm

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 1: Molecular Motors

BP 1.10: Vortrag

Montag, 31. März 2014, 12:15–12:30, HÜL 386

Myosin II Activity Softens Cells in Suspension — •Chii Jou Chan^{1, 2}, Andrew Ekpenyong^{1, 2}, Jochen Guck^{1, 2}, and Franziska Lautenschläger^{1, 3} — ¹Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom — ²Biotechnology Center, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany — ³Department of Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany

The cytoskeleton of cells is crucial for many cellular functions that require shape change or force generation, which is enacted by actin in concert with the motor protein myosin. While studies investigating the contribution of myosin-activity on the mechanical properties of cells have been performed on cells attached to a substrate, we investigated mechanical properties of cells in suspension using an optical stretcher. Both naturally suspended cells and naturally attached cells were treated with myosin inhibitors (Blebbistatin, Y-27632). We find that all cells, once in suspension, stiffen when myosin activity is inhibited and vice versa This is exactly opposite to what has been reported for cells attached to a substrate, which stiffen via pre-stress by myosin activity. Possible reasons for this difference and likely molecular mechanisms will be discussed. Our findings shed new light on the role of myosin II in the control of cell mechanical properties when cells are not attached to flat, rigid surfaces.