Heavy Metal Exposure Leads to Rapid Changes in Cellular Biophysical Properties.

Biophysical properties of cells, such as cell mechanics, cell shape, and cell migration, are emerging hallmarks for characterizing various cell functions. Conversely, disruptions to these biophysical properties may be used as reliable indicators of disruptions to cell homeostasis, such as in the case of chemical-induced toxicity. In this study, we demonstrate that treatment of lead(II) nitrate and cadmium nitrate leads to dosage-dependent changes in a collection of biophysical properties, including cellular traction forces, focal adhesions, mechanical stiffness, cell shape, migration speed, permeability, and wound-healing efficacy in mammalian cells.

Gαq-mediated calcium dynamics and membrane tension modulate neurite plasticity.

The formation and disruption of synaptic connections during development are a fundamental step in neural circuit formation. Subneuronal structures such as neurites are known to be sensitive to the level of spontaneous neuronal activity, but the specifics of how neurotransmitter-induced calcium activity regulates neurite homeostasis are not yet fully understood. In response to stimulation by neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, calcium responses in cells are mediated by the Gαq/phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ)/phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P) signaling pathway.