Theoretical analysis of shape transformation of V-79 cells after treatment with cytochalasin B

We observed that after treatment of V-79 fibroblasts with cytochalasin B the area of cell contact with the substrate is essentially reduced, the microtubules are organized into rodlike structures and the actin filaments are disintegrated. Remnants of the actin cortex become concentrated in the form of discrete patches under the plasma membrane. The described changes in the organization of the cytoskeleton and of the cortical shell are accompanied by the formation of a cell shape resembling the Greek letter phi. We calculated that the phi shape corresponds to the minimum of the stretching energy of the cortical shell at relevant geometrical constraints. In line with this result, if cytochalasin B treatment was followed by colchicine application which disrupted the microtubular rod, the characteristic phi shape completely disappeared. This study suggests that the effect of the microtubular rod on the cell shape can be theoretically well described by taking into account some basic conditions for the mechanical equilibrium of the cell cortical shell and the appropriate geometrical constraints.