The zipper mechanism in phagocytosis: energetic requirements and variability in phagocytic cup shape.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Phagocytosis is the fundamental cellular process by which eukaryotic cells bind and engulf particles by their cell membrane. Particle engulfment involves particle recognition by cell-surface receptors, signaling and remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton to guide the membrane around the particle in a zipper-like fashion. Despite the signaling complexity, phagocytosis also depends strongly on biophysical parameters, such as particle shape, and the need for actin-driven force generation remains poorly understood.

Results

Here, we propose a novel, three-dimensional and stochastic biophysical model of phagocytosis, and study the engulfment of particles of various sizes and shapes, including spiral and rod-shaped particles reminiscent of bacteria. Highly curved shapes ar

SUBMITTER: Tollis S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2991294 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature