Microelastic Mapping of Living Cells: Changes in Relative Elasticity Between Nuclear and Cytoplasmic Regions of Mitotic MDCK Cells

Abstract

Mechanical forces play a major role in the physiology of eukaryotic cells. Studies of the mechanical properties of cells are important for understanding their function in many physiological and pathological processes. Cytomechanics is an important factor in morphogenesis, in control of gene expression and protein synthesis and several other cellular processes especially in cellular division and proliferation. Progress has been made toward understanding the mechanics of cell division in a wide variety of organisms and cell types using several methods including molecular biology, light and electron microscopy, as well as various force transducers, methods including microneedles, laser and magnetic tweezers, and the atomic force microscope (AFM). Measurement of cellular viscoelasticity by such techniques can provide important functional information about the physiological role and mechanical properties of cellular components (in particular the cytoskeleton). Mitosis is a highly complex physiological and biochemical process. Although cellular structures and molecules involved in mitosis have been extensively characterized, the biomechanics of cell division remains poorly understood.