Cellular force‐sensing through actin filaments

Autor: Xiaoyu Sun, Gregory M. Alushin
Rok vydání: 2022
Předmět:
Zdroj: FEBS J
ISSN: 1742-4658
1742-464X
Popis: The actin cytoskeleton orchestrates cell mechanics and facilitates the physical integration of cells into tissues, while tissue-scale forces and extracellular rigidity in turn govern cell behavior. Here we discuss recent evidence that actin filaments (F-actin), the core building blocks of the actin cytoskeleton, also serve as molecular force sensors. We delineate two classes of proteins which interpret forces applied to F-actin through enhanced binding interactions: “mechanically tuned” canonical actin-binding proteins whose constitutive F-actin affinity is increased by force, and “mechanically switched” proteins which bind F-actin only in the presence of force. We speculate mechanically tuned and mechanically switched actin-binding proteins are biophysically suitable for coordinating cytoskeletal force-feedback and mechanical signaling processes, respectively. Finally, we discuss potential mechanisms mediating force-activated actin binding, which likely occurs both through structural remodeling of F-actin itself and geometric rearrangements of higher-order actin networks. Understanding the interplay of these mechanisms will enable the design of studies to dissect the specific biological functions of force-activated actin binding.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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