Effect of Load on Non-Muscle Myosin 2 Paralog Filaments in a Biomimetic Contractile Actin Array.

ABSTRACT: Cells express three non-muscle myosin 2 (NM2) paralogs that form bipolar filaments of ≈30 motors each. Of these, NM2A and NM2B are best studied and show distinct enzymatic and mechanical properties. Although they can colocalize in cells, they also have unique localization patterns, suggesting functional differences. Most studies have examined these proteins interacting with actin under very low loads, but in cells they likely contribute to generating and maintaining cytoskeletal tension. Inspired by sarcomere-like tension generation in non-muscle cells, a minimal platform is reconstituted to study NM2 activity under load. Using micropatterned formin to align actin filaments in anti-parallel bundles, phosphorylated NM2 filaments are introduced to observe their interactions via TIRF (Total I

SUBMITTER: Bleicher P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12802541 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature