Large and reversible myosin-dependent forces in rigidity sensing.

ABSTRACT: Cells sense the rigidity of their environment through localized pinching, which occurs when myosin molecular motors generate contractions within actin filaments anchoring the cell to its surroundings. We present high-resolution experiments performed on these elementary contractile units in cells. Our experimental results challenge the current understanding of molecular motor force generation. Surprisingly, bipolar myosin filaments generate much larger forces per motor than measured in single molecule experiments. Further, contraction to a fixed distance, followed by relaxation at the same rate, is observed over a wide range of matrix rigidities. Lastly, step-wise displacements of the matrix contacts are apparent during both contraction and relaxation. Building upon a generic two-state mode

SUBMITTER: Lohner J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8008990 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature