Growing actin networks form lamellipodium and lamellum by self-assembly.

ABSTRACT: Many different cell types are able to migrate by formation of a thin actin-based cytoskeletal extension. Recently, it became evident that this extension consists of two distinct substructures, designated lamellipodium and lamellum, which differ significantly in their kinetic and kinematic properties as well as their biochemical composition. We developed a stochastic two-dimensional computer simulation that includes chemical reaction kinetics, G-actin diffusion, and filament transport to investigate the formation of growing actin networks in migrating cells. Model parameters were chosen based on experimental data or theoretical considerations. In this work, we demonstrate the system's ability to form two distinct networks by self-organization. We found a characteristic transition in mean fi

SUBMITTER: Huber F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2599839 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature