Cell Mechanobiology during Mitosis

Cell division is orchestrated not only by biochemical signals but also by tightly regulated mechanical changes. As cells enter mitosis they disassemble adhesion complexes, remodel the actomyosin cortex and undergo mitotic rounding—a process whereby cells adopt a near-spherical shape. This shape change is accompanied by a rise in cortical tension and intracellular hydrostatic pressure, driven by the contractile actomyosin network and osmotic swelling. These forces generate space for mitotic spindle assembly, ensure robust bipolar spindle formation and facilitate equal chromosome segregation. Mechanical feedback from the extracellular matrix and neighbouring cells further modulates cortical mechanics, adhesion strength and division fidelity. Disruption of these biomechanical processes can lead to mitotic defects, genome instability and disease progression, underscoring the physiological and pathological significance of cell mechanobiology during mitosis.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have elucidated how integrin-mediated adhesion is dynamically regulated during mitosis. It has been shown that β1 integrins, in concert with kindlin, talin1 and vinculin, disengage from the extracellular matrix yet strengthen intercellular contacts to prevent delamination of dividing cells. This dual regulation preserves tissue integrity while allowing cell rounding. In parallel, work on the actin-binding protein Profilin 1 has revealed its recruitment to the spindle midzone at anaphase and its essential role in supplying actin filaments to the cleavage furrow. Loss of Profilin 1 causes anaphase bridges, multipolar spindles and cytokinesis failure, triggering chromosomal instability and complex genome rearrangements in tumour models. Together, these studies highlight key molecular players that couple cytoskeletal dynamics and adhesion to mechanical demands of mitosis.

Cell Mechanobiology during Mitosis publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in cell mechanobiology during mitosis across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Actomyosin cortex: A thin network of actin filaments and myosin motors beneath the plasma membrane that generates contractile forces.

Cortical tension: The mechanical tension at the cell surface arising from actomyosin contractility and membrane resistance.

Mitotic rounding: The process by which cells adopt a spherical shape at mitotic entry to create space for spindle formation.

Integrins: Transmembrane receptors that link extracellular matrix components to the intracellular cytoskeleton and mediate adhesion.

Osmotic pressure: The hydrostatic pressure generated by water influx driven by differences in solute concentration across the cell membrane.

References

1. In mitosis integrins reduce adhesion to extracellular matrix and strengthen adhesion to adjacent cells. Nature Communications (2023).
2. Profilin 1 deficiency drives mitotic defects and reduces genome stability. Communications Biology (2023).
3. Cell adhesion is regulated by CDK1 during the cell cycle. Journal of Cell Biology (2018).
4. Resonant microchannel volume and mass measurements show that suspended cells swell during mitosis. Journal of Cell Biology (2015).
5. Quantification of surface tension and internal pressure generated by single mitotic cells. Scientific Reports (2014).
6. Mitotic Rounding Alters Cell Geometry to Ensure Efficient Bipolar Spindle Formation. Developmental Cell (2013).
7. Mitotic cells contract actomyosin cortex and generate pressure to round against or escape epithelial confinement. Nature Communications (2015).