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【Abstract】

Single-cell behaviors encompass a broad range of biological functions, including organelle positioning, cell migration, and shape changes in cell division. These functions often involve the symmetry breaking of the actin cytoskeleton, comprised of actin filaments and myosin motors. This actin cytoskeleton generates contractile forces to play a mechanical regulation in cellular-scale symmetry breaking, but the underlying mechanism is still elusive. To unveil the connection between the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton and the diverse self-organized behaviors, we are developing an experimental approach utilizing artificial cell models that encapsulate cytoplasmic actomyosin networks surrounded by lipid monolayers [1,2,3]. This strategy allows us to reconstruct the self-organization process of the actin network, from continuous flow to periodic wave of active cytoskeletal networks, within cell-sized spaces [1,2]. The reconstructed active gel gives insights into the regulation of cellular-scale symmetry, such as friction-mediated cell migration [3], revealing a physical mechanism of the active cytoskeleton that utilizes environmental mechanical constraints.

References:
[1] R. Sakamoto, et al., Nature Communications, 11, 3063 (2020).
[2] R. Sakamoto, et al., Phys Rev Research, 5, 013208 (2023).
[3] R. Sakamoto, et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 119, e2121147119 (2022).