Figure 3.

Cell shape polarization is sustained by a polarized cortical myosin distribution. Monitoring of the cortical dynamics of myosin-IIA. (Left) Fluorescence images of single nonadherent 3T3 cells expressing eGFP-myosin-IIA from time-lapse movies acquired in different mechanical and adhesive conditions: in the absence of any trapped adhesive cue (A); in the presence of a single Fn-coated bead (B); and Pll-coated bead (C) (see Movie S3). (Arrowheads) Position of the inductive trigger. (Right) Cell contour kymographs show the evolution of fluorescence intensity of cortical myosin-IIA over time. Representative contour kymographs are displayed for each condition. (Yellow arrowheads) Cortical angular position of the trigger; (red arrowheads) opposite pole. All scale bars, 5 μm.