Many-particle simulation of ameboid motility

A mesoscopic, stochastic, and two-dimensional many-particle model is presen ted, intended to elucidate the mechano-chemical basis of ameboid motility. The model system describing a single cell (called 'celloid') consists of a polymeric network, enclosed by and interactings with a membrane. Numerical simulations are based on the Brownian-dynamics approach. Different patterns of ameboid shape changes (buckling, formation of transie nt protrusions) emerge from a mechanism which involves several kinds of pro trusive and retractive Forces, acting dynamically on the celloid membrane. The pattern of forces depends on the dynamical properties of the polymeric network, the degree of network-membrane interaction, and the celloid shape itself. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.