Biomaterial Database

Mechanical models of pseudopod formation. 1993

R Skalak, and B A Skierczynski, and S L Wung, and S Chien, and S Usami

Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0412.

The active locomotion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes into a glass pipette has been recently reported using formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) as a chemoattractant. The frontal portion of the leukocyte appears clear and free of granules as observed in pseudopod formation. Three possible mechanisms for pseudopod formation are considered: (1) pressure-flow generated by actin-myosin contraction at the rear of the cell or at the base of the pseudopod; (2) osmotic pressure generated at the cell membrane, interior to the cell; and (3) actin polymerization of the cell membrane at the leading edge of the pseudopod. Experimental data on the movement of F-actin toward the rear of the cell, away from the front, favors polymerization of G-actin to F-actin at the leading edge. The active role of osmotic pressure and contraction at the base of the pseudopod are possible but not yet proven.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008433	Mathematics	The deductive study of shape, quantity, and dependence. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed)	Mathematic
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D009218	Myosins	A diverse superfamily of proteins that function as translocating proteins. They share the common characteristics of being able to bind ACTINS and hydrolyze MgATP. Myosins generally consist of heavy chains which are involved in locomotion, and light chains which are involved in regulation. Within the structure of myosin heavy chain are three domains: the head, the neck and the tail. The head region of the heavy chain contains the actin binding domain and MgATPase domain which provides energy for locomotion. The neck region is involved in binding the light-chains. The tail region provides the anchoring point that maintains the position of the heavy chain. The superfamily of myosins is organized into structural classes based upon the type and arrangement of the subunits they contain.	Myosin ATPase,ATPase, Actin-Activated,ATPase, Actomyosin,ATPase, Myosin,Actin-Activated ATPase,Actomyosin ATPase,Actomyosin Adenosinetriphosphatase,Adenosine Triphosphatase, Myosin,Adenosinetriphosphatase, Actomyosin,Adenosinetriphosphatase, Myosin,Myosin,Myosin Adenosinetriphosphatase,ATPase, Actin Activated,Actin Activated ATPase,Myosin Adenosine Triphosphatase
D009240	N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine	A formylated tripeptide originally isolated from bacterial filtrates that is positively chemotactic to polymorphonuclear leucocytes, and causes them to release lysosomal enzymes and become metabolically activated.	F-Met-Leu-Phe,N-Formyl-Methionyl-Leucyl-Phenylalanine,Formylmet-Leu-Phe,Formylmethionyl Peptide,Formylmethionyl-Leucyl-Phenylalanine,Formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine,N-Formylated Peptide,N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine,fMet-Leu-Phe,F Met Leu Phe,Formylmet Leu Phe,Formylmethionyl Leucyl Phenylalanine,Leucyl-Phenylalanine, N-Formylmethionine,N Formyl Methionyl Leucyl Phenylalanine,N Formylated Peptide,N Formylmethionine Leucyl Phenylalanine,N formylmethionyl leucyl phenylalanine,Peptide, Formylmethionyl,Peptide, N-Formylated,fMet Leu Phe
D009504	Neutrophils	Granular leukocytes having a nucleus with three to five lobes connected by slender threads of chromatin, and cytoplasm containing fine inconspicuous granules and stainable by neutral dyes.	LE Cells,Leukocytes, Polymorphonuclear,Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes,Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils,Neutrophil Band Cells,Band Cell, Neutrophil,Cell, LE,LE Cell,Leukocyte, Polymorphonuclear,Neutrophil,Neutrophil Band Cell,Neutrophil, Polymorphonuclear,Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte,Polymorphonuclear Neutrophil
D002462	Cell Membrane	The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.	Plasma Membrane,Cytoplasmic Membrane,Cell Membranes,Cytoplasmic Membranes,Membrane, Cell,Membrane, Cytoplasmic,Membrane, Plasma,Membranes, Cell,Membranes, Cytoplasmic,Membranes, Plasma,Plasma Membranes
D002465	Cell Movement	The movement of cells from one location to another. Distinguish from CYTOKINESIS which is the process of dividing the CYTOPLASM of a cell.	Cell Migration,Locomotion, Cell,Migration, Cell,Motility, Cell,Movement, Cell,Cell Locomotion,Cell Motility,Cell Movements,Movements, Cell
D002634	Chemotaxis, Leukocyte	The movement of leukocytes in response to a chemical concentration gradient or to products formed in an immunologic reaction.	Leukotaxis,Leukocyte Chemotaxis
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000199	Actins	Filamentous proteins that are the main constituent of the thin filaments of muscle fibers. The filaments (known also as filamentous or F-actin) can be dissociated into their globular subunits; each subunit is composed of a single polypeptide 375 amino acids long. This is known as globular or G-actin. In conjunction with MYOSINS, actin is responsible for the contraction and relaxation of muscle.	F-Actin,G-Actin,Actin,Isoactin,N-Actin,alpha-Actin,alpha-Isoactin,beta-Actin,gamma-Actin,F Actin,G Actin,N Actin,alpha Actin,alpha Isoactin,beta Actin,gamma Actin