Cell polarity: which way to grow in an electric field?

Iana M Kalinina; Vladimir Krstić; Iva M Tolić-Nørrelykke

doi:10.1016/j.cub.2010.03.022

Cell polarity: which way to grow in an electric field?

Curr Biol. 2010 Apr 27;20(8):R355-6. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2010.03.022.

Authors

Iana M Kalinina¹, Vladimir Krstić, Iva M Tolić-Nørrelykke

Affiliation

¹ Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany.

PMID: 21749953
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2010.03.022

Abstract

Cell polarity can be influenced by an electric field, but the mechanisms behind this response are poorly understood. A new paper shows that fission yeast cells change their direction of growth in an external electric field and suggests mechanisms based on the cortical pH gradient and on electrophoresis of membrane proteins.

Publication types

Comment

MeSH terms

Cell Polarity / physiology*
Electric Stimulation*
Humans
Schizosaccharomyces / cytology*
Schizosaccharomyces / physiology*