Xenbase Image ID: 159422

Figure 3. Driving forces of the two modes of convergent extension. (a) Actin-rich protrusions allow the cell to crawl along the neighboring cells. Actin is polymerized at the protrusions and pushes the membrane forward between the neighboring cells. The actin cables provide the resistant force for cell elongation, in order for the cells to tug the adjacent cells by the crawling motion. In this model, the cells move actively. (a′) A model of actin filament polymerization and branching. Actin-binding proteins such as Arp2/3, Formin, or Cofilin function to branch, polymerize or sever the actin filament. (b) Actomyosin activation constricts the cell–cell junction. The neighboring cell (gray colored) is pulled by the shrinking cell–cell junction. In this model, the cells move passively. (b′) A model of actomyosin contraction. Phosphorylation of myosin light chain triggers the actin filaments to slide toward the myosin complex. Image published in: Shindo A (2018) © 2017 The Authors. This image is reproduced with permission of the journal and the copyright holder. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial license Larger Image Printer Friendly View

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