Effective membrane tension: A long-range integrator of cellular dynamics

Membrane tension has been proposed to mechanically couple processes along the cell's boundary. In this issue of Cell, De Belly et al. show that local protrusion or contraction elicit a global membrane tension increase within seconds, whereas tension perturbations that engage only the membrane remain localized.

Automated summary

Membrane tension is suggested to connect processes along the cell's boundary mechanically. De Belly et al. demonstrate in this issue of Cell that local protrusion or contraction lead to a rapid increase in global membrane tension, while tension changes that only involve the membrane remain localized.