MODULATION OF MEMBRANE DYNAMICS AND CELL MOTILITY BY MEMBRANE TENSION

The plasma membrane of most cells is drawn tightly over the cytoskelet on of the cell, resulting in a significant tension being developed in the membrane. The tension in the membrane can be calculated from the f orce required to separate it from the cytoskeleton; and the force itse lf can be measured rapidly by using laser tweezers. Recent observation s indicate that decreasing membrane tension stimulates endocytosis and increasing tension stimulates secretion. Thus, membrane tension provi des a simple physical mechanism to control the area of the plasma memb rane. Here, we speculate that tension is a global parameter that the c ell uses to control physically plasma membrane dynamics, cell shape an d cell motility.