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Updated: Jul 16, 2025

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

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Friction patterns guide actin network contraction.

Alexandra Colin1, Magali Orhant-Prioux1, Christophe Guérin1

  • 1Université Grenoble-Alpes, CEA, CNRS, UMR5168, Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, CytoMorpho Lab, Grenoble 38054, France.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|September 19, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cell shape depends on internal actomyosin forces and external friction. This study shows friction forces significantly direct actin network contraction, impacting cell deformation.

Keywords:
actincontractioncytoskeletonfriction

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Cell Biology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Cell shape is determined by internal actomyosin forces and external resistive forces.
  • Disentangling contractile, anchoring, and friction forces in living cells is challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the specific role of friction forces in actomyosin network deformation in vitro.
  • To understand how friction magnitude and distribution influence network contraction.

Main Methods:

  • Reconstituting contractile actomyosin networks on micropatterned glass and lipid surfaces.
  • Modulating friction forces by varying surface properties and micropatterns.
  • Inducing actin network assembly and observing myosin-induced contraction.

Main Results:

  • Actin network deformation was faster and more coordinated on lipid bilayers (lower friction) than on glass (higher friction).
  • Heterogeneous micropatterns showed biased deformation towards regions with higher friction.
  • Friction patterns robustly drove network contraction, overriding myosin distribution effects.

Conclusions:

  • Friction forces play a crucial role in directing actomyosin network deformation during contraction.
  • Both active (actomyosin) and resistive (friction) forces are essential for controlling cell deformation.
  • This work provides insights into the mechanical regulation of cell shape and behavior.