Intra-bundle contractions enable extensile properties of active actin networks

The cellular cortex is a dynamic and contractile actomyosin network modulated by actin-binding proteins. We reconstituted a minimal cortex adhered to a model cell membrane mimicking two processes mediated by the motor protein myosin: contractility and high turnover of actin monomers. Myosin reorgani...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports 2021-01, Vol.11 (1), p.2677-12, Article 2677
Main Authors: Bleicher, P., Nast-Kolb, T., Sciortino, A., de la Trobe, Y. A., Pokrant, T., Faix, J., Bausch, A. R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
631/45/612/1228
639/766/747
Actin
Actin Cytoskeleton - chemistry
Actin Cytoskeleton - metabolism
Actins - chemistry
Actins - metabolism
Actomyosin
Actomyosin - chemistry
Actomyosin - metabolism
Animals
Cell division
Cell membranes
Contractility
Filaments
Humanities and Social Sciences
Membranes, Artificial
Microscopy
Mimicry
Monomers
multidisciplinary
Muscle Contraction
Myosin
Polymerization
Proteins
Rabbits
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
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Summary:The cellular cortex is a dynamic and contractile actomyosin network modulated by actin-binding proteins. We reconstituted a minimal cortex adhered to a model cell membrane mimicking two processes mediated by the motor protein myosin: contractility and high turnover of actin monomers. Myosin reorganized these networks by extensile intra‑bundle contractions leading to an altered growth mechanism. Hereby, stress within tethered bundles induced nicking of filaments followed by repair via incorporation of free monomers. This mechanism was able to break the symmetry of the previously disordered network resulting in the generation of extensile clusters, reminiscent of structures found within cells.
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-81601-0