Exploring membrane mechanics: The role of membrane-cortex attachment in cell dynamics

Toshiki Itoh; Kazuya Tsujita

doi:10.1016/j.ceb.2023.102173

Exploring membrane mechanics: The role of membrane-cortex attachment in cell dynamics

Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2023 Apr:81:102173. doi: 10.1016/j.ceb.2023.102173. Epub 2023 May 22.

Authors

Toshiki Itoh¹, Kazuya Tsujita²

Affiliations

¹ Biosignal Research Center, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, 657-8501, Japan; Division of Membrane Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan. Electronic address: titoh@people.kobe-u.ac.jp.
² Biosignal Research Center, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, 657-8501, Japan; Division of Membrane Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan. Electronic address: tsujita@people.kobe-u.ac.jp.

PMID: 37224683
DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2023.102173

Abstract

The role of plasma membrane (PM) tension in cell dynamics has gained increasing interest in recent years to understand the mechanism by which individual cells regulate their dynamic behavior. Membrane-to-cortex attachment (MCA) is a component of apparent PM tension, and its assembly and disassembly determine the direction of cell motility, controlling the driving forces of migration. There is also evidence that membrane tension plays a role in malignant cancer cell metastasis and stem cell differentiation. Here, we review recent important discoveries that explore the role of membrane tension in the regulation of diverse cellular processes, and discuss the mechanisms of cell dynamics regulated by this physical parameter.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Cell Membrane / metabolism
Cell Movement / physiology
Humans
Neoplasms* / metabolism