Membrane-cytoskeleton adhesion and detachment from cells with “excess” area

The phospholipid membrane that encloses the living eucaryotic cell adheres to the underlying, actin-rich cytoskeleton of the cell. To study the adhesion of membrane to cytoskeleton one physically detaches the phospholipid membrane from the cytoskeleton by forming long, thin, membrane cylinders called “tethers.” One measures the force on both the stationary and moving tether and then relates this force to the underlying adhesive, elastic and tensile properties of the membrane and cytoskeleton. Of current interest is the formation of tethers from cells with an excess of membrane area; i.e., with a readily available membrane reservoir contained in membrane folds and projections, collectively called microvilli