Microtubule-Based Control of Motor-Clutch System Mechanics in Glioma Cell Migration

Cell Rep. 2018 Nov 27;25(9):2591-2604.e8. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.10.101.

Abstract

Microtubule-targeting agents (MTAs) are widely used chemotherapy drugs capable of disrupting microtubule-dependent cellular functions, such as division and migration. We show that two clinically approved MTAs, paclitaxel and vinblastine, each suppress stiffness-sensitive migration and polarization characteristic of human glioma cells on compliant hydrogels. MTAs influence microtubule dynamics and cell traction forces by nearly opposite mechanisms, the latter of which can be explained by a combination of changes in myosin motor and adhesion clutch number. Our results support a microtubule-dependent signaling-based model for controlling traction forces through a motor-clutch mechanism, rather than microtubules directly relieving tension within F-actin and adhesions. Computational simulations of cell migration suggest that increasing protrusion number also impairs stiffness-sensitive migration, consistent with experimental MTA effects. These results provide a theoretical basis for the role of microtubules and mechanisms of MTAs in controlling cell migration.

Keywords: actin; cell migration; computational modeling; cytoskeletal crosstalk; mechanotransduction; microtubule; microtubule-targeting agent; paclitaxel; receptor tyrosine kinase; vinblastine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement*
  • Cell Polarity
  • Glioma / metabolism
  • Glioma / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Microtubules / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Molecular Motor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Myosin Type II / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Phosphotyrosine / metabolism
  • Polymerization
  • Rats
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Actins
  • Molecular Motor Proteins
  • Phosphotyrosine
  • Myosin Type II