Stress fibres are embedded in a contractile cortical network.

ABSTRACT: Contractile actomyosin networks are responsible for the production of intracellular forces. There is increasing evidence that bundles of actin filaments form interconnected and interconvertible structures with the rest of the network. In this study, we explored the mechanical impact of these interconnections on the production and distribution of traction forces throughout the cell. By using a combination of hydrogel micropatterning, traction force microscopy and laser photoablation, we measured the relaxation of traction forces in response to local photoablations. Our experimental results and modelling of the mechanical response of the network revealed that bundles were fully embedded along their entire length in a continuous and contractile network of cortical filaments. Moreover, the pro

SUBMITTER: Vignaud T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7610471 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature