Cytoskeletal coherence requires myosin-IIA contractility.

ABSTRACT: Maintaining a physical connection across cytoplasm is crucial for many biological processes such as matrix force generation, cell motility, cell shape and tissue development. However, in the absence of stress fibers, the coherent structure that transmits force across the cytoplasm is not understood. We find that nonmuscle myosin-II (NMII) contraction of cytoplasmic actin filaments establishes a coherent cytoskeletal network irrespective of the nature of adhesive contacts. When NMII activity is inhibited during cell spreading by Rho kinase inhibition, blebbistatin, caldesmon overexpression or NMIIA RNAi, the symmetric traction forces are lost and cell spreading persists, causing cytoplasm fragmentation by membrane tension that results in 'C' or dendritic shapes. Moreover, local inactivation

SUBMITTER: Cai Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2816186 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature