Data for: Nanotopography modulates intracellular excitable systems through cytoskeleton actuation

Cellular sensing of most environmental cues involves receptors that affect
a signal-transduction excitable network (STEN), which is coupled to a
cytoskeletal excitable network (CEN).  In this work, we monitored
the dynamics of intracellular cytoskeleton and signaling transduction
molecules in Dictyostelium discoideum plated on various
nano-topographies. We show that the mechanism of sensing of
nanoridges is fundamentally different. CEN activity occurs preferentially
on nanoridges, whereas STEN activity is constrained between nanoridges. In
the absence of STEN, waves disappear, but long-lasting F-actin puncta
persist along the ridges. When CEN is suppressed, wave propagation is no
longer constrained by nanoridges. A computational model reproduces these
experimental observations. Our findings indicate that nanotopography is
sensed directly by CEN, whereas STEN is only indirectly affected due to a
CEN-STEN feedback loop. These results explain why texture sensing is
robust, and acts cooperatively with multiple other guidance cues in
complex microenvironments.