Cells both actively generate and sensitively react to forces through their mechanical framework, the cytoskeleton, which is a nonequilibrium composite material including polymers and motor proteins. We measured the dynamics and mechanical properties of a simple three-component model system consisting of myosin II, actin filaments, and cross-linkers. In this system, stresses arising from motor activity controlled the cytoskeletal network mechanics, increasing stiffness by a factor of nearly 100 and qualitatively changing the viscoelastic response of the network in an adenosine triphosphate-dependent manner. We present a quantitative theoretical model connecting the large-scale properties of this active gel to molecular force generation.
CITATION STYLE
Mizuno, D., Tardin, C., Schmidt, C. F., & MacKintosh, F. C. (2007). Nonequilibrium mechanics of active cytoskeletal networks. Science, 315(5810), 370–373. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1134404
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