Fig. 6: The lamellipodia architecture in spreading cells.

A model depicting the actin organization at the edge of a spreading cell. Three distinct actin sub-domain exhibit different directionality of actin filaments were identified. A protruding sub-domain in which the majority of the actin filaments have their barbed ends pointing towards the membrane (blue), while parallel filaments (mustard) and filaments that are pointing towards the cell body (red) can be detected as well. In the resting sub-domain, less filaments are directed towards the membrane while more parallel filaments are detected. Transition sub-domains are spaced between the protruding and resting sub-domains. In all the three network architectures, parallel oriented actin filaments (mustard) are enriched in the resting sub-domains although they can also be seen in transition and protruding sub-domains. Similar amounts of filaments that are pointing towards the cell body (red) were detected in all sub-domains.