Title
How to Build a Cortex: Coordinated Assembly of Cortical Septins and Actomyosin in the Leader Bleb
Date of Award
2023
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Abstract
In confined spaces, migrating cells can undergo mesenchymal-to-amoeboid transitions by altering their cortical dynamics and adhesion with the environment. Septins frequently associate with cortical actin and non-muscle myosin (NMII), but the functional nature of these interactions remains unclear. Upon non-adhesive confinement and NMII enrichment, fibroblasts can switch to a fast, leader bleb-based mode of motility, characterized by the absence of adhesions and stress fibers and formation of a single, elongated leader bleb. During this transition, cortical actin remodeling and polarized NMII contractility drive leader bleb stabilization by generating long-range cortical flows, in coordination with changes in septin localization and assembly dynamics. Meanwhile, septin depletion increases global NMII expression, promoting cellular rounding and transient blebbing under non-adhesive confinement. These findings demonstrate the plasticity of fibroblast migration behavior, mediated by cortical septin-actomyosin remodeling and, further, open the door for future studies on the functional relationship between septins and NMII at the cortex.
Recommended Citation
Paguntalan, Asia Marie, "How to Build a Cortex: Coordinated Assembly of Cortical Septins and Actomyosin in the Leader Bleb" (2023). Master's Theses. 4483.
https://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_theses/4483
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2023 Asia Marie Paguntalan
