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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...

Protein Networks

Protein Networks

An organism can have thousands of different proteins, and these proteins must cooperate to ensure the health of an organism. Proteins bind to other proteins and form complexes to carry out their functions. Many proteins interact with multiple other proteins creating a complex network of protein interactions.
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Molecular Shape and Polarity

Molecular Shape and Polarity

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Network Covalent Solids

Network Covalent Solids

Network covalent solids contain a three-dimensional network of covalently bonded atoms as found in the crystal structures of nonmetals like diamond, graphite, silicon, and some covalent compounds, such as silicon dioxide (sand) and silicon carbide (carborundum, the abrasive on sandpaper). Many minerals have networks of covalent bonds.
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VSEPR Theory and the Basic Shapes

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Molecules have characteristic shapes that are crucial for their function. The arrangement of various electron groups around the central atom dictates their molecular geometry. Electron pairs in the valence shell of a central atom will adopt an arrangement that minimizes repulsions between the electron pairs by maximizing the distance between them. The valence electrons form either bonding pairs, located primarily between bonded atoms, or lone pairs.
Two regions of electron density in a diatomic...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 14, 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

Architecture shapes contractility in actomyosin networks.

Gijsje H Koenderink¹, Ewa K Paluch²

¹AMOLF, Biological Soft Matter group, Science Park 104, 1098 XG Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Current Opinion in Cell Biology

|February 27, 2018

Summary

Actin network organization, not just myosin motor activity, controls cell contraction. Nanoscale architecture of actin filaments is key to generating contractile tension in cells and tissues.

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Analyzing the Size, Shape, and Directionality of Networks of Coupled Astrocytes

Analyzing the Size, Shape, and Directionality of Networks of Coupled Astrocytes

Published on: October 4, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 14, 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

Author Spotlight: Optogenetic Inhibition of Rho1-Mediated Actomyosin Contractility Coupled with Measurement of Epithelial Tension in Drosophila Embryos

Author Spotlight: Optogenetic Inhibition of Rho1-Mediated Actomyosin Contractility Coupled with Measurement of Epithelial Tension in Drosophila Embryos

Published on: April 14, 2023

Analyzing the Size, Shape, and Directionality of Networks of Coupled Astrocytes

Analyzing the Size, Shape, and Directionality of Networks of Coupled Astrocytes

Published on: October 4, 2018

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Biophysics
Cytoskeletal Dynamics

Background:

Cell and tissue morphogenesis rely on myosin-driven actin cytoskeleton contraction.
Myosin motors use ATP hydrolysis to slide actin filaments, generating force at the molecular level.
Understanding how microscopic sliding translates to cell-scale contractions is a long-standing research question.

Purpose of the Study:

To review theoretical and in vitro studies on actin network organization's role in contractility.
To elucidate mechanisms by which actin network architecture controls contractile tension.
To discuss the applicability of these principles in cellular contexts.

Main Methods:

Review of theoretical models of cytoskeletal mechanics.
Analysis of in vitro reconstitution experiments.
Synthesis of findings from muscle and non-muscle cell research.

Main Results:

Actin network nanoscale architecture is a critical regulator of contractile tension.
Specific organizational principles of actin networks dictate contractility.
These principles are relevant to both in vitro systems and living cells.

Conclusions:

Actin network organization is as crucial as myosin motor activity for cell contractility.
Understanding cytoskeletal architecture provides insights into morphogenesis.
Further research should integrate in vitro findings with in vivo cellular behavior.