The cellular cortex and the folded membrane: a tense partnership
Using the early Drosophila embryo as a model, researchers have uncovered how the cell’s actomyosin cortex—a network of proteins that generates tension—integrates with the complex, folded topography of the plasma membrane. They found that the spacing between membrane infoldings cyclically expands and contracts in sync with the cell cycle, driven by Arp2/3 and actomyosin activity respectively. When this coordination is disrupted, excessive tension builds and the embryo’s surface becomes distorted, revealing that the physical landscape of the membrane is not just a passive scaffold but is integral to the function and regulation of the cortical machinery.
Why it might matter to you:
This work provides a fundamental biophysical framework for understanding how cellular architecture influences mechanical forces and developmental integrity. For researchers investigating disruptions in cellular and tissue organization, such as those affecting fertility, it highlights a critical, often-overlooked layer of regulation where membrane shape and cytoskeletal dynamics intersect. Insights into how these systems fail could inform models of cellular dysfunction linked to aging or environmental stressors.
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