Figure 6.

Schematic for electrocoupling mechanisms of cell mechanics modulation by electric field. External electric field induces an increase in the cytosolic calcium concentration mediated either by Ca²⁺ influx through plasma membrane or Ca²⁺ release from intracellular store. An elevated intracellular Ca²⁺ level depolymerizes the F-actins and decrease the cell elasticity. If present (e.g., cell electrical exposure with serum), growth factors could bind to electrically redistributed plasma membrane receptors and trigger a local increase in actin polymerization. Redistribution of the membrane receptors and actins in response to an electric field may mediate serum-dependent cell electromigration. In addition, an electrical stimulation causes intracellular ATP depletion, for example, by ATP release, which in turn leads to inhibition of the ERM linkers' binding properties and their dissociation from the membrane and actin cytoskeleton. Resultant membrane separation from the cytoskeleton and effectively decreased membrane tension are attributed both to electrically induced downregulation of active ERM proteins and actin depolymerization. The exact details of these mechanisms may vary in different cell types.