On multistability and constitutive relations of motion of MDA-MB-231 cells on Fibronectin lanes

Abstract

Cell motility on flat substrates exhibits multistability between steady and oscillatory morphodynamics, spread and moving states, the biphasic adhesion-velocity relation, and the universal correlation between speed and persistence (UCSP) as simultaneously observed phenomena. Their universality and concurrency suggest a unifying mechanism to exist causing all of them. We search for that mechanism by investigating trajectories of MDA-MB-231 cells on Fibronectin lanes. We also find multistability caused by the clutch mechanism of retrograde flow. Control of the clutch parameters by integrin signalling causes the biphasic adhesion-velocity relation. Protrusion competition based on the clutch causes direction reversal events, the statistics of which explains the UCSP. We suggest that F-actin polymerisation, clutch mechanism of retrograde flow, protrusion competition via membrane tension and drag forces cause the multistability and dynamic cell states, state transition statistics causes the UCSP and the control of this dynamic system by integrin signalling entails the adhesion-velocity relation.