M. Piel

The membrane-actin linkers ezrin, radixin, and moesin are dispensable for macrophage migration and cortex mechanics.

This study shows that ezrin, radixin, and moesin are not required for macrophage migration or actin cortex mechanics, challenging their universal importance in these processes.

The distance between the plasma membrane and the actomyosin cortex acts as a nanogate to control cell surface mechanics

The paper shows that the distance between the plasma membrane and actomyosin cortex, controlled by MCA proteins, acts as a nanogate regulating actin nucleation and cell surface mechanics.

Molecular determinants of inhibition of UCP1-mediated respiratory uncoupling

This study identifies molecular mechanisms by which purine nucleotides inhibit UCP1-mediated respiratory uncoupling using simulations and mutagenesis.

Caveolin-1 protects endothelial cells from extensive expansion of transcellular tunnel by stiffening the plasma membrane

This study shows caveolin-1 reduces TEM tunnel size by stiffening the membrane, and its depletion increases TEM number and size, leading to higher lethality in mice during infection.

A Shape Sensing Mechanism driven by Arp2/3 and cPLA2 licenses Dendritic Cells for Migration to Lymph Nodes in Homeostasis

The paper identifies a shape sensing mechanism in dendritic cells that links cell motility to CCR7 expression, enabling migration to lymph nodes through ARP2/3-cPLA2 signaling.

Advected percolation in the actomyosin cortex drives amoeboid cell motility

The paper identifies advected percolation as a mechanism driving amoeboid cell motility by analyzing actin cortex dynamics in motile blebs.

Force-biased nuclear import sets nuclear-cytoplasmic volumetric coupling by osmosis

The paper measures cytoplasmic and nuclear volumes in human cells and finds cytoplasm grows exponentially while nucleus grows linearly, showing cytoskeletal forces influence nuclear import and volumetric coupling via osmosis.

Nuclear envelope disruption triggers hallmarks of aging in lung alveolar macrophages

This study shows that Lamin A/C protects lung alveolar macrophages from nuclear envelope rupture and aging-related DNA damage, linking NE disruption to genomic instability and senescence.

Compressive forces stabilise microtubules in living cells

The paper shows that compressive forces stabilize microtubules in living cells through CLASP2 relocation, indicating mechano-responsive properties.

Fluorescence exclusion: a rapid, accurate and powerful method for measuring yeast cell volume

This paper introduces a method to accurately measure yeast cell volume using fluorescence exclusion, showing its effectiveness for fission yeast even with altered shapes.

SETDB1 Fuels the Lung Cancer Phenotype by Modulating Epigenome, 3D Genome Organization and Chromatin Mechanical Properties

This study shows that SETDB1 loss-of-function in lung cancer cells alters chromatin structure, nuclear mechanics, and gene expression, reversing oncogenic properties.

Genetic instability from a single S-phase after whole genome duplication

This study shows that newly formed tetraploid human cells experience high DNA damage during the first S-phase, leading to abnormal karyotypes and genetic instability.

A mechano-osmotic feedback couples cell volume to the rate of cell deformation

The paper shows that cell volume depends on the rate of deformation, proposing a mechano-osmotic coupling model involving actin cortex and ion fluxes.

Volume growth in animal cells is cell cycle dependent and shows additive fluctuations

The paper measures single-cell volume growth in HeLa cells and finds it is exponential during most of the cell cycle with higher rates in S-G2 than G1, attributing variability to additive noise rather than fluctuations in growth rate.

Calculation of the force field required for nucleus deformation during cell migration through constrictions

The paper presents a computational method to calculate the deformation force field on a nucleus during cell migration through constrictions using experimental images and two mechanical models.

Proteolysis-free cell migration through crowded environments via mechanical worrying

The paper shows amoeboid melanoma cells migrate through crowded environments by mechanically degrading extracellular matrix via bleb-driven abrading, without proteolysis.

Pinching the cortex of live cells reveals thickness instabilities caused by Myosin II motors

The paper measures cortical thickness in live cells using magnetic beads and finds it is dynamic and fluctuates due to actomyosin contractility.

Structural models of mitochondrial uncoupling proteins obtained in DPC micelles are not physiologically relevant for their uncoupling activity.

The paper shows that UCP1 mutants identified through NMR in DPC detergent do not affect activation in a yeast mitochondrial assay, suggesting DPC-based models are not physiologically relevant.

Cell clusters adopt a collective amoeboid mode of migration in confined non-adhesive environments

The paper shows that cell clusters can migrate in a collective amoeboid mode without adhesion, relying on supracellular contractility rather than traction forces.

Compromised nuclear envelope integrity drives tumor cell invasion

The paper shows that mechanical nuclear envelope ruptures in cancer cells cause DNA damage and promote invasion through ATM activation and TREX1 depletion.

Acto-myosin network geometry defines centrosome position

This study shows that centrosome positioning is determined by actin network geometry rather than cell shape, with dynein forces placing the centrosome in an inner zone defined by actin contraction.

The nucleus acts as a ruler tailoring cell responses to spatial constraints

The paper shows that the nucleus acts as a ruler by triggering contractile responses when confined, influencing cell migration and processes like cancer invasion and immune responses.

Mechanosensitive nuclear asymmetries define a bipolar spindle scaffold to ensure mitotic fidelity

The paper shows that nuclear asymmetry during prophase, driven by mechanical cues, enables proper centrosome positioning and bipolar spindle formation for accurate mitosis.

Adhesion-free cell migration by topography-based force transduction

This study shows leukocytes can migrate without adhesion by using substrate topography to transduce force from actin retrograde flow.

Profilin and formin constitute a pacemaker system for robust actin filament growth

This study shows that profilin and formin work together to control actin filament growth rates, making them resilient to changes in soluble actin concentrations.

Oncogenic signaling alters cell shape and mechanics to facilitate cell division under confinement.

This study shows that oncogenic Ras-ERK signaling changes cell mechanics and division behavior under confinement, aiding mitotic rounding and chromosome segregation.

Glioma cell migration in confined microchannels via a motor-clutch mechanism

This study investigates glioma cell migration in confined microchannels using a motor-clutch mechanism, showing that parameters from 2D experiments predict 1D migration behaviors.

Macropinocytosis overcomes directional bias due to hydraulic resistance to enhance space exploration by dendritic cells

This study shows that macropinocytosis enables immature dendritic cells to overcome hydraulic resistance, enhancing their space exploration and tissue-patrolling function, while mature dendritic cells are hindered by this resistance.

Polarization of Myosin II refines tissue material properties to buffer mechanical stress.

The paper identifies a mechanosensitive pathway that uses Myosin II polarization to stiffen tissues and buffer mechanical stress, preventing damage and preserving tissue shape.

Size control in mammalian cells involves modulation of both growth rate and cell cycle duration

The paper measures single-cell volume over cell cycles in mammalian cells and finds size homeostasis relies on both growth rate and cell cycle duration modulation.