Development of intracellular force sensors and analysis of the relationship between cell dynamics and its contractile forces

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16H05907
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Biomedical engineering/Biomaterial science and engineering
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Matsui Tsubasa 大阪大学, 基礎工学研究科, 講師 (50638707)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: ストレスファイバー / メカノバイオロジー / 細胞収縮 / バイオメカニクス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we tried to clarify the relationship between phosphorylation of the myosin regulatory light chain that regulates the endogenous contractile force and cell morphology, contractile force generation, and motility. When the myosin regulatory light chain is put in a pseudo high phosphorylation state, the cells generate a force in a circular form and hardly move. Conversely, when the myosin regulatory light chain is put in a pseudo low phosphorylation state, the cell morphology became complicated and cell movement became active. In addition, it was revealed that the wild-type myosin regulatory light chain goes back and forth between the above two states.

Free Research Field

生体力学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

細胞収縮力のと細胞動態との関係を明らかにすることで、力によって駆動される生命現象の理解につながる。また、異常な収縮力の発生や力発生機構の変容という観点で、これまで原因が分かっていなかった疾患の原因解明につながる可能性が考えられる。