Elongation and shape changes in organisms with cell walls: a dialogue between experiments and models

TL;DR

This paper reviews how mechanical forces and molecular factors interact to produce and maintain elongated shapes in organisms with cell walls, integrating experimental data with theoretical models.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms behind shape elongation in cell-walled organisms, emphasizing the role of mechanics and modeling in understanding morphogenesis.

Findings

Mechanical forces influence shape formation in organisms with cell walls.

Theoretical models help interpret experimental data on morphogenesis.

Interactions between growth and mechanics are key to shape maintenance.

Abstract

The generation of anisotropic shapes occurs during morphogenesis of almost all organisms. With the recent renewal of the interest in mechanical aspects of morphogenesis, it has become clear that mechanics contributes to anisotropic forms in a subtle interaction with various molecular actors. Here, we consider plants, fungi, oomycetes, and bacteria, and we review the mechanisms by which elongated shapes are generated and maintained. We focus on theoretical models of the interplay between growth and mechanics, in relation with experimental data, and discuss how models may help us improve our understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms.