Title : Mitotic shape, membrane tension, and spindle orientation: Thermodynamic markers for cancer detection
Abstract:
This study introduces a novel thermodynamic marker for cancer diagnosis, revealing a fundamental interrelationship between membrane tension, the aspect ratio of cells during late anaphase, and spindle angle. Central to this discovery is the identification of Inter-Cyto-Tension (ICT), a previously unrecognized force that regulates these critical parameters and establishes an upper threshold for membrane tension, beyond which cell division is no longer feasible. The ratio of membrane tension to ICT is shown to govern both the cellular aspect ratio in late anaphase and spindle orientation, while also influencing the duration of mitosis. This mechanistic insight allows for a clear distinction between healthy and cancerous cells, the latter exhibiting lower membrane tension and an extended mitotic process. Additionally, the study demonstrates that protein aggregation within cancerous cells reduces both membrane tension and ICT, contributing to the prolonged duration of mitosis. These findings offer a thermodynamically grounded framework for cancer diagnosis and suggest potential pathways for the development of personalized cancer therapies targeting these mechanistic vulnerabilities.
