Figure 5. Feedback of cell shape dynamics on intracellular dynamics.

(a–b) A comparison of Cdc42 repolarization in a cell whose shape is frozen (left columns in each sequence) with a control cell that has a dynamic shape (right columns in each sequence). (See also Video S4.) In both cases, the cell is initially polarized by a transient gradient, then repolarized by either an orthogonal (a) or opposing (b) second gradient. Images on the left and right were taken at the same times after the second stimulus. Note that in (a), after 3 min there is a noticeable difference in the cell's polarity as seen from the angle of the front-back interface with the stimulus gradient; the difference is accentuated even further by 6 min. In (b), the static cell only partially repolarizes during the time span when the control cell has completely repolarized. The evolving cell shape spontaneously twists the intracellular interface which has to maintain its orthogonality to the cell edge. The increased curvature of this interface has a faster rate of flattening, driving the chemical dynamics to adjust more rapidly. As the chemistry also feeds back to protrusion/contraction and shape change, the two-way feedback resulting from cell-shape dynamics leads to a faster overall turning and aligning with the repolarization cue.