PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Fang Zhou
AU  - Sophia A. Schaffer
AU  - Christoph Schreiber
AU  - Felix J. Segerer
AU  - Andriy Goychuk
AU  - Erwin Frey
AU  - Joachim O. Rädler
TI  - Quasi-periodic migration of single cells on short microlanes
AID  - 10.1101/809939
DP  - 2019 Jan 01
TA  - bioRxiv
PG  - 809939
4099  - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2019/10/17/809939.short
4100  - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2019/10/17/809939.full
AB  - Cell migration on microlanes represents a suitable and simple platform for the exploration of the molecular mechanisms underlying cell cytoskeleton dynamics. Here, we report on the quasi-periodic movement of cells confined in stripe-shaped microlanes. We observe persistent polarized cell shapes and directed pole-to-pole motion within the microlanes. Cells depolarize at one end of a given microlane, followed by delayed repolarization towards the opposite end. We analyze cell motility via the spatial velocity distribution and frequency spectrum. The experimental data are compared to a Cellular Potts model that includes a minimal description of cytoskeleton dynamics. In particular, we evaluate the reversal time as a measure for spontaneous repolarization of cells as well as the time required to quench the leading lamellipodium at the microlane ends. Using LifeAct-GFP transfected cells and microlanes with differently shaped ends, we find distinct scenarios at the leading edge. Here, we show that the tip geometry and hence the local deformation of the leading edge of the cell has an effect on actin polymerization. Our experiments and computer simulations show that quasi-oscillatory cell motion on short lanes enables addressing how boundaries affect cytoskeleton advancement and repolarization dynamics in a repeated and quantitative manner.