Cell Shape: Determinants, Regulation, And Regulatory Role

Cell Shape: Determinants, Regulation, and Regulatory Role is written to help readers understand cell shape and its regulation. It provides insight into how the shape of a cell is determined at a molecular level. It also discusses how the shape of the cell, as a signal, controls gene expression and modulates intercellular interaction. Divided into four parts encompassing 13 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the mechanism of shape determination. It then explores how the cytoskeleton, the extracellular matrix, and biochemical force transduction may affect or respond to cell shape control. Other chapters focus on the mechanical modeling of cell shape and the biochemical reactions underlying cell motility. The text also describes the results of the molecular studies that have provided important information on the composition of the cytoskeleton. The final chapter reviews the shape changes that happen during embryogenesis. It also considers how the polarity of the embryo is determined. This book is a valuable resource for biologists, embryologists, and cell biologists.

Table of Contents:
Preface I. Basic Determinants of Cell Shape 1. Tension and Compression as Basic Determinants of Cell Form and Function: Utilization of a Cellular Tensegrity Mechanism I. Introduction II. Cell Shape and Regulation of Cell Function III. Determinants of Cell Shape IV. Modeling Cell Behavior with Tensegrity Cell Models V. How Physical Forces Provide Regulatory Information VI. Conclusion References 2. Cell Motility and Tissue Morphogenesis I. Introduction II. Cell Motility: Forces in the Leading Lamella III. Mechanical Aspects of Morphogenesis IV. Discussion References 3. Ion Channels as Mechanical Transducers I. Introduction II. Stretch-Activated Ion Channels III. Nonspecific Mechanosensors and Stretch-Activated Channels IV. Evolution of Stretch-Activated Channels V. Stretch-Activated Channels in Cell Size Regulation: A Speculation References II. Molecular Approaches to Cell Shape 4. Cell Shape and Cell Contacts: Molecular Approaches to Cytoskeleton Expression I. Introduction II. Cell Shape-Related Regulation of Cytoskeletal Protein Expression III. Regulation of Cytoskeleton Organization and Expression during Differentiation IV. Concluding Remarks References 5. Fibronectin as a Transducer of Tension I. Introduction II. Structure and Properties of Fibronectin III. Fibronectin Receptors IV. Cytoskeleton Interactions V. Fibronectin: Cell Adhesion, Shape, and Motility References 6. Extracellular Matrix Interaction with the Cytoskeleton I. Introduction II. Cell Shape, Cytoskeleton, and Gene Expression III. Regulation of Levels of Gene Expression by the Cytoskeleton IV. Mechanisms of Cytochalasin Action V. Interaction of the Extracellular Matrix with Actin via Cell Surface Receptors VI. Concluding Remarks References 7. Cell Shape and Growth Control: Role of Cytoskeleton-Extracellular Matrix Interactions I. Introduction II. Growth Factors and the Cell Cycle III. Cell Adhesion and Growth Control IV. Importance of Cell-Extracellular Matrix Interactions V. Role of the Cytoskeleton References III. Shaping in Specialized Cells 8. Red Cell Shape I. Introduction II. Red Cell Morphology III. Red Cell Volume IV. The Red Cell Membrane V. The Red Cell Membrane Skeleton VI. Membrane Mechanics VII. Bilayer Couple Effects VIII. Membrane Elasticity IX. Membrane Plasticity X. Red Cell Deformability XI. Membrane Durability XII. Evolution of Red Cell Shape XIII. Speculations on the Genesis of Red Cell Shape References 9. Nerve Cell Shape I. Introduction II. Neuronal Morphology and Maintenance III. Chemical Properties of Cytoskeletal Components IV. Formation of Neuronal Processes V. Changes of Mature Neuronal Shape VI. Summary References 10. Effect of Cell Shape on Cartilage Differentiation I. Introduction II. Effects of Cell Shape on Chondrogenic Differentiation III. Effects of Cell Shape on Continued Expression of the Cartilage Phenotype IV. Speculations: Mechanisms of Shape or of Cytoskeletal Influences on Differentiation V. Concluding Remarks References 11. Bone Cell Shape and Function I. Bone Cell Shape, Motility, and Function II. Response of Bone, Bone Cells, and Cytoplasm to Mechanical Perturbations III. Summary References IV. The Shape of Organisms 12. Unicellular Morphogenesis I. Introduction II. Morphogenesis in Protozoa III. Morphogenesis in Unicellular Algae IV. Conclusions References 13. Cell Shape and Vertebrate Embryogenesis I. Introduction II. Embryonic Polarity III. Gastrulation and Notochord Formation IV. Neurulation V. Conclusions References Index