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Related Concept Videos

The Role of Actin and Myosin in Non-muscle Cells01:10

The Role of Actin and Myosin in Non-muscle Cells

Actin and myosin or actomyosin filaments also play a significant role in cells other than those involved in muscle contraction (which occurs within the sarcomere of muscle cells). The mechanism of non-muscle cell contractile bundles was first observed in Dictyostelium and Acanthamoeba. In non-muscle cells, two bundles are commonly found: stress fibers and actomyosin adherence belts. These contractile bundles are smaller and less organized than the ones found in muscle cells. They  are held...
Role of Myosin in Cell Migration01:18

Role of Myosin in Cell Migration

Myosins are multimeric motor proteins involved in various cellular processes such as migration, adhesion, and proliferation. Myosin II is the most common type in animal cells, which binds and cross-links actin filaments.
Myosin II  is a hexamer comprising two heavy chains with globular heads and coiled-coil tails, two regulatory light chains, and two essential light chains. The ATPase sites on the myosin heads hydrolyze ATP, and the released phosphate generates the force for contraction. It is...
Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions01:14

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

The complex three-dimensional arrangement of cells in any multicellular organism is defined and maintained by interactions of cells with each other and the extracellular matrix. Cell-cell junctions are specialized structures where the multi-protein complexes on one cell interact with the multi-protein complexes on another  cell. These cell junctions are classified  into three main types based on their function — occluding, anchoring, and gap junctions.
Occluding or Tight Junctions
Tight...
Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions01:14

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

The complex three-dimensional arrangement of cells in any multicellular organism is defined and maintained by interactions of cells with each other and the extracellular matrix. Cell-cell junctions are specialized structures where the multi-protein complexes on one cell interact with the multi-protein complexes on another  cell. These cell junctions are classified  into three main types based on their function — occluding, anchoring, and gap junctions.
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Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue. 
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
Actin and Myosin in Muscle Contraction01:16

Actin and Myosin in Muscle Contraction

Actin and myosin are contractile proteins that form the sarcomere found in skeletal muscle tissues for regulating muscle contraction. Actin, a globular contractile protein, interacts with myosin for muscle contraction. The skeletal tissue appears striped or striated under a microscope due to the repeated arrangement of contractile proteins actin and myosin along the length of myofibrils. Dark A bands and light I bands repeat along myofibrils, and the alignment of myofibrils in the cell causes...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

Myosin-Specific Adaptations of In vitro Fluorescence Microscopy-Based Motility Assays
08:57

Myosin-Specific Adaptations of In vitro Fluorescence Microscopy-Based Motility Assays

Published on: February 4, 2021

Myosins in cell junctions.

Katy C Liu1, Richard E Cheney1

  • 1Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology; School of Medicine; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill, NC USA.

Bioarchitecture
|September 8, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Myosins, crucial for cell junctions in metazoan evolution and human health, are increasingly understood. This review highlights new findings on conventional and unconventional myosins

Keywords:
Myo10Myo15aMyo1eMyo6Myo7aMyo9aMyo9badherens junctiondachsmyosinnonmuscle myosintight junction

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Last Updated: May 18, 2026

Myosin-Specific Adaptations of In vitro Fluorescence Microscopy-Based Motility Assays
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Myosin-Specific Adaptations of In vitro Fluorescence Microscopy-Based Motility Assays

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Probing Myosin Ensemble Mechanics in Actin Filament Bundles Using Optical Tweezers
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The Mechanics of (Poro-)Elastic Contractile Actomyosin Networks As a Model System of the Cell Cytoskeleton
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The Mechanics of (Poro-)Elastic Contractile Actomyosin Networks As a Model System of the Cell Cytoskeleton

Published on: March 10, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Cell-cell junctions are vital for metazoan evolution and human health.
  • Actin and myosins are known to play roles in cell junctions.
  • Recent research is clarifying specific myosin functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent developments in understanding myosin roles in cell junctions.
  • To integrate findings on conventional and unconventional myosins.
  • To connect myosin function to cell junction mechanosensing.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on myosins and cell junctions.
  • Analysis of experimental data on myosin involvement.
  • Synthesis of findings on myosin forces and mechanosensing.

Main Results:

  • Specific functions of conventional myosins in cell junctions are being elucidated.
  • A growing number of unconventional myosins are identified with key roles.
  • Cell junctions function as mechanosensors, influenced by myosin activity.

Conclusions:

  • Myosins are critical regulators of cell junction formation and function.
  • Understanding myosin roles is essential for comprehending cell junction mechanosensing.
  • Further research on myosins will advance cell biology and human health.