Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:18

Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments

21.2K
Cytoskeletal filaments are polymeric forms of smaller protein subunits. However, individual cytoskeletal filaments may easily disassemble or associate with other similar filaments to form rigid structures. Microfilaments, made of actin monomers, rely on actin-binding proteins to form bundles and create networks of individual actin filaments. Microtubules rely on microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) to form sturdy cylindrical structures. However, the proteins involved in forming complex...
21.2K
Adaptability of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:12

Adaptability of Cytoskeletal Filaments

3.8K
The cytoskeleton is a complex dynamic structure performing varied functions based on cellular requirements. The adaptability of the individual filaments in the cytoskeleton determines their ability to perform various functions within the cell. It can undergo rapid reorganization during processes like cell division or remain stable for several hours as in the interphase. The adaptability of these filaments depends on stringent regulatory mechanisms. The microfilament and microtubules of the...
3.8K
Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration01:32

Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration

4.8K
A migrating cell changes its shape during the cyclic events of attachment and detachment from the substratum and repositions the cell organelles correspondingly. These complex events are orchestrated by the dynamic cytoskeletal network comprising actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Cytoskeletal crosstalk — the direct and indirect communication between the different components — is crucial for this coordination. Direct communication involves various linker...
4.8K
Studying the Cytoskeleton01:17

Studying the Cytoskeleton

6.3K
The cytoskeletal architecture can be studied using different microscopic and biochemical techniques. Electron microscopy was instrumental in discovering the cytoskeletal architecture around the 1960s, which allowed obtaining structural information at a high-resolution level. However, the sample preparation procedure often limits this ability in biological samples. Several protocols have been developed over the years to optimize sample preparation. In one of the protocols known as rotary...
6.3K
Introduction to the Cytoskeleton01:33

Introduction to the Cytoskeleton

27.0K
Overview of the Cytoskeleton
The cytoskeleton is a network of protein filaments present within the cell, having three distinct filaments ̶   microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. Each has characteristic features that distinguish them, including the dynamics of their assembly and disassembly, mechanical properties, polarity, and the type of molecular motors associated with them. Earlier, they were thought to be present only in eukaryotic cells; however, their...
27.0K
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

2.7K
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...
2.7K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Characterisation of cuticle mechanical properties: analysing stiffness in layered living systems to understand surface buckling patterns.

Soft matter·2025
Same author

Molecular design principles for bipolar spindle organization by two opposing motors.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2025
Same author

The cell cycle controls spindle architecture in Arabidopsis by activating the augmin pathway.

Developmental cell·2024
Same author

Ase1 selectively increases the lifetime of antiparallel microtubule overlaps.

Current biology : CB·2024
Same author

Branched microtubule nucleation and dynein transport organize RanGTP asters in <i>Xenopus laevis</i> egg extract.

Molecular biology of the cell·2023
Same author

Morphoelastic modelling of pattern development in the petal epidermal cell cuticle.

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·2023
Same journal

A Video Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial - Electrochemotherapy of Cutaneous Metastases with Reduced Dose Bleomycin (BLESS Trial).

Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE·2026
Same journal

A Standardized Ex Vivo Porcine Oromucosal Model for Evaluating Peptide Fluxes.

Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE·2026
Same journal

Lightweight English Text Classification with Deep Learning Based on Complex System Theory.

Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE·2026
Same journal

Integrating Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Translation Support into English Courses: Effects on Translation Accuracy, Perceived Stress, and Anxiety.

Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE·2026
Same journal

A Toxin-Based Counter-Selection System for Markerless Gene Deletion and High-Density Tn5 Transposon Mutagenesis in Pectobacterium brasiliense.

Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE·2026
Same journal

Seamless Multimodal Human-Robot Communication: Integration Techniques in Human-Computer Interaction.

Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 1, 2025

Reconstituting and Characterizing Actin-Microtubule Composites with Tunable Motor-Driven Dynamics and Mechanics
09:10

Reconstituting and Characterizing Actin-Microtubule Composites with Tunable Motor-Driven Dynamics and Mechanics

Published on: August 25, 2022

3.4K

A Typical Workflow to Simulate Cytoskeletal Systems.

Carlos A Lugo1, Eashan Saikia1, Francois Nedelec2

  • 1Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge University.

Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove
|April 24, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cytosim, an open-source simulation suite, enables precise quantitative modeling of cytoskeletal systems like actomyosin networks. Varying crosslinker numbers reveals how network composition impacts contractility, complementing experimental findings.

More Related Videos

The Mechanics of Poro-Elastic Contractile Actomyosin Networks As a Model System of the Cell Cytoskeleton
08:50

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

Published on: March 10, 2023

825
Tuning the Contractility and Deformation Modes of Active Actin-Based Assemblies In Vitro: From Two-Dimensional Active Networks to Liquid Crystal Drops
06:48

Tuning the Contractility and Deformation Modes of Active Actin-Based Assemblies In Vitro: From Two-Dimensional Active Networks to Liquid Crystal Drops

Published on: July 11, 2025

228

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 1, 2025

Reconstituting and Characterizing Actin-Microtubule Composites with Tunable Motor-Driven Dynamics and Mechanics
09:10

Reconstituting and Characterizing Actin-Microtubule Composites with Tunable Motor-Driven Dynamics and Mechanics

Published on: August 25, 2022

3.4K
The Mechanics of Poro-Elastic Contractile Actomyosin Networks As a Model System of the Cell Cytoskeleton
08:50

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

Published on: March 10, 2023

825
Tuning the Contractility and Deformation Modes of Active Actin-Based Assemblies In Vitro: From Two-Dimensional Active Networks to Liquid Crystal Drops
06:48

Tuning the Contractility and Deformation Modes of Active Actin-Based Assemblies In Vitro: From Two-Dimensional Active Networks to Liquid Crystal Drops

Published on: July 11, 2025

228

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Computational Biology

Background:

  • Cytoskeletal systems, including microtubules and actin filaments, are well-characterized, allowing for quantitative modeling.
  • Computer simulations offer a complementary approach to experiments for investigating the collective behavior of cytoskeletal elements.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce Cytosim, an open-source simulation suite for modeling large systems of flexible filaments and associated proteins.
  • To provide a step-by-step workflow for installing, configuring, and visualizing simulations of cytoskeletal networks, specifically a 2D actomyosin network.
  • To demonstrate how systematic parameter variation (e.g., crosslinker number) can quantify system behavior, such as contractility.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Cytosim, an open-source software, for simulating cytoskeletal dynamics.
  • Developed a workflow involving installation, configuration for 2D actomyosin network contraction, and result visualization.
  • Performed systematic variation of the crosslinker parameter to analyze its effect on network contractility.

Main Results:

  • Successfully simulated the contraction of a 2D actomyosin network using Cytosim.
  • Quantified the relationship between crosslinker concentration and network contractility.
  • Visualized simulation results and generated graphs illustrating parameter-dependent contractility.

Conclusions:

  • Cytosim is a versatile tool for quantitative modeling of cytoskeletal systems, requiring no programming skills.
  • The demonstrated workflow can be adapted to study various cytoskeletal phenomena.
  • Simulation results provide insights into the composition-dependent mechanical properties of cytoskeletal networks.