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Flat, simple shaped, rapidly gliding fish keratocyte cell is the model system of choice to study cell motility. We develop a computational model of this cell's lamellipod. I will describe 2-D equations of viscoelastic contractile actin gel on a free boundary lamellipodial domain and a model of VASP-mediated self-organization of F-actin at the leading edge. The simulations reproduce the observed shapes and movements of the keratocyte cells and predict actin and myosin densities across the cell. Comparing the computational results and experimental data (Theriot lab) allows us to speculate on the set of rules governing self-organization of cell motile machinery. |
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