Actomyosin stress fiber mechanosensing in 2D and 3D [version 1; referees: 3 approved]
Mechanotransduction is the process through which cells survey the mechanical properties of their environment, convert these mechanical inputs into biochemical signals, and modulate their phenotype in response. These mechanical inputs, which may be encoded in the form of extracellular matrix stiffnes...
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doaj-23ee6c610420451abee564b2955b3e3a2020-11-25T03:24:24ZengF1000 Research LtdF1000Research2046-14022016-09-01510.12688/f1000research.8800.19474Actomyosin stress fiber mechanosensing in 2D and 3D [version 1; referees: 3 approved]Stacey Lee0Sanjay Kumar1UC Berkeley-UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USADepartment of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USAMechanotransduction is the process through which cells survey the mechanical properties of their environment, convert these mechanical inputs into biochemical signals, and modulate their phenotype in response. These mechanical inputs, which may be encoded in the form of extracellular matrix stiffness, dimensionality, and adhesion, all strongly influence cell morphology, migration, and fate decisions. One mechanism through which cells on planar or pseudo-planar matrices exert tensile forces and interrogate microenvironmental mechanics is through stress fibers, which are bundles composed of actin filaments and, in most cases, non-muscle myosin II filaments. Stress fibers form a continuous structural network that is mechanically coupled to the extracellular matrix through focal adhesions. Furthermore, myosin-driven contractility plays a central role in the ability of stress fibers to sense matrix mechanics and generate tension. Here, we review the distinct roles that non-muscle myosin II plays in driving mechanosensing and focus specifically on motility. In a closely related discussion, we also describe stress fiber classification schemes and the differing roles of various myosin isoforms in each category. Finally, we briefly highlight recent studies exploring mechanosensing in three-dimensional environments, in which matrix content, structure, and mechanics are often tightly interrelated. Stress fibers and the myosin motors therein represent an intriguing and functionally important biological system in which mechanics, biochemistry, and architecture all converge.http://f1000research.com/articles/5-2261/v1Cell AdhesionCell Growth & DivisionCell SignalingCytoskeletonMacromolecular Assemblies & MachinesMorphogenesis & Cell Biology |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Stacey Lee Sanjay Kumar |
spellingShingle |
Stacey Lee Sanjay Kumar Actomyosin stress fiber mechanosensing in 2D and 3D [version 1; referees: 3 approved] F1000Research Cell Adhesion Cell Growth & Division Cell Signaling Cytoskeleton Macromolecular Assemblies & Machines Morphogenesis & Cell Biology |
author_facet |
Stacey Lee Sanjay Kumar |
author_sort |
Stacey Lee |
title |
Actomyosin stress fiber mechanosensing in 2D and 3D [version 1; referees: 3 approved] |
title_short |
Actomyosin stress fiber mechanosensing in 2D and 3D [version 1; referees: 3 approved] |
title_full |
Actomyosin stress fiber mechanosensing in 2D and 3D [version 1; referees: 3 approved] |
title_fullStr |
Actomyosin stress fiber mechanosensing in 2D and 3D [version 1; referees: 3 approved] |
title_full_unstemmed |
Actomyosin stress fiber mechanosensing in 2D and 3D [version 1; referees: 3 approved] |
title_sort |
actomyosin stress fiber mechanosensing in 2d and 3d [version 1; referees: 3 approved] |
publisher |
F1000 Research Ltd |
series |
F1000Research |
issn |
2046-1402 |
publishDate |
2016-09-01 |
description |
Mechanotransduction is the process through which cells survey the mechanical properties of their environment, convert these mechanical inputs into biochemical signals, and modulate their phenotype in response. These mechanical inputs, which may be encoded in the form of extracellular matrix stiffness, dimensionality, and adhesion, all strongly influence cell morphology, migration, and fate decisions. One mechanism through which cells on planar or pseudo-planar matrices exert tensile forces and interrogate microenvironmental mechanics is through stress fibers, which are bundles composed of actin filaments and, in most cases, non-muscle myosin II filaments. Stress fibers form a continuous structural network that is mechanically coupled to the extracellular matrix through focal adhesions. Furthermore, myosin-driven contractility plays a central role in the ability of stress fibers to sense matrix mechanics and generate tension. Here, we review the distinct roles that non-muscle myosin II plays in driving mechanosensing and focus specifically on motility. In a closely related discussion, we also describe stress fiber classification schemes and the differing roles of various myosin isoforms in each category. Finally, we briefly highlight recent studies exploring mechanosensing in three-dimensional environments, in which matrix content, structure, and mechanics are often tightly interrelated. Stress fibers and the myosin motors therein represent an intriguing and functionally important biological system in which mechanics, biochemistry, and architecture all converge. |
topic |
Cell Adhesion Cell Growth & Division Cell Signaling Cytoskeleton Macromolecular Assemblies & Machines Morphogenesis & Cell Biology |
url |
http://f1000research.com/articles/5-2261/v1 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT staceylee actomyosinstressfibermechanosensingin2dand3dversion1referees3approved AT sanjaykumar actomyosinstressfibermechanosensingin2dand3dversion1referees3approved |
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