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

Formation of Higher-order Actin Filaments01:11

Formation of Higher-order Actin Filaments

3.8K
The polymerization of G-actin monomers into filamentous F-actin is a multi-step process. Once the F-actins are formed, they can bundle together in different arrangements to form higher-order networks and regulate cellular functions. Common examples include the formation of lamellipodia and filopodia at the cell's leading edge by actin reorganization in a migrating cell. The microvilli on the brush border epithelial cells are also formed through the F-actin network.
The high-order actin...
3.8K
Actin Treadmilling01:18

Actin Treadmilling

10.0K
Actin filaments undergo polymerization and depolymerization from either end. The polymerization and depolymerization rates depend on the cytosolic concentration of free G-actins. The polymerization rate is generally higher at the plus or barbed end, while the depolymerization rate is higher at the minus or pointed end. At a steady state, critical concentration describes the concentration of free G-actin monomers at which the polymerization rate at the plus end is equal to that of the...
10.0K
The Role of Actin and Myosin in Non-muscle Cells01:10

The Role of Actin and Myosin in Non-muscle Cells

5.4K
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...
5.4K
Generation of Straight or Branched Actin Filaments01:14

Generation of Straight or Branched Actin Filaments

3.9K
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...
3.9K
Tension Response at Adherens Junctions01:26

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

4.0K
The adherens junctions that anchor cells together are multi-protein complexes that dynamically adapt to mechanical stimuli such as tensile forces and shear stress. Mechanosensory proteins in these junctions can sense such mechanical stimuli and undergo a shift in their conformation, resulting in an altered function — a process called mechanotransduction.
α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
The α-catenin of adherens junctions is an allosteric protein with three VH (vinculin...
4.0K
Actin Filament Depolymerization01:19

Actin Filament Depolymerization

4.1K
Actin filaments (F-actin) are composed of actin subunits. The dissociation of actin monomers can occur from either end of F-actin. The rate of dissociation is faster from the minus-end or the pointed end, where the actin subunits exist with a bound ADP, together known as ADP-actin. The depolymerization of F-actin is aided by proteins, including the actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF) and cofilin family of proteins, gelsolin, and glia maturation factor (GMF).
In F-actin, the ADF/cofilin proteins...
4.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

State-dependent energy conversion produces degenerate dissipation in active actomyosin networks.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Topological control of spontaneous failure in active nematic solids.

Nature materials·2026
Same author

Energy partitioning in the cell cortex.

Nature physics·2026
Same author

Illuminating active matter by harnessing light for modular flow control.

Nature materials·2025
Same author

Author Correction: Mechanical power is maximized during contractile ring-like formation in a biomimetic dividing cell model.

Nature communications·2024
Same author

Mechanical power is maximized during contractile ring-like formation in a biomimetic dividing cell model.

Nature communications·2024
Same journal

A pore-facing glycan constrains GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor subunit stoichiometry and gating behavior.

Communications biology·2026
Same journal

Resorantel: a dual-targeting therapeutic with potent efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus with low potential for drug resistance.

Communications biology·2026
Same journal

Rise and subsequent fall in neuro-behavioral coupling during learning a skilled reaching task is revealed by generative AI.

Communications biology·2026
Same journal

Neural effects of expectation violation generalise across sensory modalities.

Communications biology·2026
Same journal

Contraction, recombination and innovation shape the dynamic pan-plastome of Astragalus sinicus.

Communications biology·2026
Same journal

Electric fields trigger ceramide-dependent vesicle budding and boost the generation of small extracellular vesicles.

Communications biology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 12, 2026

Measurement of Force-Sensitive Protein Dynamics in Living Cells Using a Combination of Fluorescent Techniques
08:28

Measurement of Force-Sensitive Protein Dynamics in Living Cells Using a Combination of Fluorescent Techniques

Published on: November 2, 2018

8.8K

Crosslinked F-actin networks regulate load-dependent energy conversion.

Ryota Sakamoto1,2,3, Zachary Gao Sun2,4,5, Michael P Murrell6,7,8,9

  • 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.

Communications Biology
|March 11, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cellular actomyosin networks use adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for mechanical work. Actin crosslinkers regulate how myosin motor proteins consume ATP and generate power in response to mechanical load.

More Related Videos

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

966
Analyses of Actin Dynamics, Clutch Coupling and Traction Force for Growth Cone Advance
07:53

Analyses of Actin Dynamics, Clutch Coupling and Traction Force for Growth Cone Advance

Published on: October 21, 2021

4.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 12, 2026

Measurement of Force-Sensitive Protein Dynamics in Living Cells Using a Combination of Fluorescent Techniques
08:28

Measurement of Force-Sensitive Protein Dynamics in Living Cells Using a Combination of Fluorescent Techniques

Published on: November 2, 2018

8.8K
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

966
Analyses of Actin Dynamics, Clutch Coupling and Traction Force for Growth Cone Advance
07:53

Analyses of Actin Dynamics, Clutch Coupling and Traction Force for Growth Cone Advance

Published on: October 21, 2021

4.0K

Area of Science:

  • Cellular biophysics
  • Cytoskeletal dynamics
  • Mechanobiology

Background:

  • Cellular energy conversion to mechanical work is vital for processes like cell division and development.
  • Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis powers motor proteins, such as myosin, to generate force on the cytoskeleton.
  • The collective response of motor proteins in disordered cytoskeletal networks to mechanical load is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how motor proteins collectively respond to mechanical load in reconstituted actomyosin networks.
  • To understand the role of actin crosslinkers in modulating the mechano-chemical behavior of myosin.

Main Methods:

  • Reconstitution of purified actomyosin networks crosslinked with various actin crosslinking proteins.
  • Mimicking cellular environments to study network properties.
  • Analysis of load-dependent myosin ATP consumption and mechanical power generation.

Main Results:

  • Structural and mechanical properties of crosslinked networks (inter-filament spacing, filament polarity, stiffness) influence myosin ATP consumption.
  • These network properties modulate the inferred mechanical power generation by myosin under load.
  • Actin crosslinkers play a critical role in regulating the mechano-chemical coupling of myosin.

Conclusions:

  • Cytoskeletal architecture, particularly the role of actin crosslinkers, is crucial for regulating cellular energy conversion.
  • Cells can control energy conversion and force generation through the specific organization of their cytoskeletal networks.
  • Findings provide insight into how disordered cytoskeletal networks manage mechanical load and power output.