Author/Editor		Iglič, Aleš; Veranič, Peter; Batista, Urška; Kralj-Iglič, Veronika
Title		Theoretical analysis of shape transformation of V-79 cells after treatment with cytochalasin B
Type		članek
Source		J Biomech
Vol. and No.		Letnik 34
Publication year		2001
Volume		str. 765-72
Language		eng
Abstract		We observed that after treatment of V-79 fibroblasts with cytochalasin B the area of cell contact with the substrate is esentially reduced, the microtubules are organized into rodlike structures and the actin filaments are disintegrated. Remmants of the actin cortex become concentrated in the form of discrete patches under the plasma membrane. The described changes in the organization of the cytoskeleton and of the cortical shell are accompanied by the formation of a cell shape resembling the Greek letter phi. We calculated that the phi shape corresponds to the minimum of the streching energy of the cortical shell at relevant geometrical constraints. In line with this result, if cytochalasin B treatment was followed by colchicine application whicj disrupted the microtubular rod, the characteristic phi shape completely disappeared. This study suggests that the effect of the microtubular rod on the cell shape can be theoretically well described by taking into account some basic conditions for the mechanical equilibrium of the cell cortical shell and the appropriate geometrical constraints.
Descriptors		FIBROBLASTS CYTOCHALASIN B COLCHICINE CELL SIZE MICROTUBULES CYTOSKELETON MODELS, THEORETICAL