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The Contractile Ring

The Contractile Ring

Contractile rings are composed of microfilaments and are responsible for separating the daughter cells during cytokinesis. Contractile ring assembly proceeds along with other cell cycle events; however, very few mechanistic details are known about the timing and coordination of the contractile rings with the cell cycle.
A small GTPase, RhoA, controls the function and assembly of the contractile ring. RhoA belongs to the Ras superfamily of proteins. The activation of formins by RhoA promotes...

The Contractile Ring

The Contractile Ring

Contractile rings are composed of microfilaments and are responsible for separating the daughter cells during cytokinesis. Contractile ring assembly proceeds along with other cell cycle events; however, very few mechanistic details are known about the timing and coordination of the contractile rings with the cell cycle.
A small GTPase, RhoA, controls the function and assembly of the contractile ring. RhoA belongs to the Ras superfamily of proteins. The activation of formins by RhoA promotes...

The Role of Actin and Myosin in Non-muscle Cells

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...

Actin and Myosin in Muscle Contraction

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...

Generation of Straight or Branched Actin Filaments

Generation of Straight or Branched Actin Filaments

The straight or branched structure formation of actin filaments is controlled by nucleating proteins such as the formins and Arp2/3 complex. Formin-mediated assembly results in straight filaments, whereas Arp2/3 protein complex-mediated assembly results in branched actin filaments.
Arp2/3 Complex
Arp2/3 complex is a seven-subunit complex consisting of two proteins similar to actin- Arp2 and Arp3, and five other subunits that help keep Arp2 and Arp3 inactive. When required, the complex is...

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

The Mechanics of (Poro-)Elastic Contractile Actomyosin Networks As a Model System of the Cell Cytoskeleton

The Mechanics of (Poro-)Elastic Contractile Actomyosin Networks As a Model System of the Cell Cytoskeleton

Published on: March 10, 2023

Force to divide: structural and mechanical requirements for actomyosin ring contraction.

Inês Mendes Pinto¹, Boris Rubinstein, Rong Li

¹Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri, USA. ipi@stowers.org

Biophysical Journal

|August 13, 2013

Summary

Cell division relies on the actomyosin ring for force generation. This review explores its unique structure and dynamics, distinct from muscle sarcomeres, revealing new insights into cellular contraction.

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Last Updated: May 9, 2026

The Mechanics of (Poro-)Elastic Contractile Actomyosin Networks As a Model System of the Cell Cytoskeleton

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Published on: March 10, 2023

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Published on: July 11, 2025

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Cytoskeletal Dynamics
Biophysics

Background:

The actomyosin cytoskeleton generates contractile force for cell division.
A sliding filament mechanism, similar to muscle sarcomeres, was initially proposed for actomyosin ring contraction.
However, significant differences exist between cytokinetic structures and muscle sarcomeres.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the architecture and contractile dynamics of the actomyosin ring during cell division.
To highlight interdisciplinary advances in understanding actomyosin-based force generation.
To integrate findings into a mechanistic model of contraction in cell division and other biological processes.

Main Methods:

Review of ultrastructural studies on actomyosin ring organization.
Analysis of functional studies investigating myosin-II motor activity and actin dynamics.
Integration of data from diverse biological research fields.

Main Results:

The actomyosin ring's structure and contraction differ from muscle sarcomeres.
Myosin-II motor activity is not always essential for cytokinesis.
Actin depolymerization plays a role in driving actomyosin ring contraction.

Conclusions:

The actomyosin ring utilizes a unique mechanism for force generation during cell division.
Understanding these dynamics provides insights into fundamental biological force-generating systems.
Further interdisciplinary research is crucial for a complete mechanistic model.