Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons^™

Polymerizing Actin Regulates Myosin-Independent Mechanosensing By Modulating Actin Elasticity And Flow Fluctuation, Nikhil Mittal, Etienne Michels, Kathleen Pakenas, Shaina P. Royer-Weeden, Sangyoon J. Han

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 2

The stiffness of the extracellular matrix induces differential tension within integrin-based adhesions. However, it has been unclear if the stiffness-dependent differential tension is induced solely by myosin activity. Here, we report that in the absence of myosin contractility, 3T3 fibroblasts still transmit stiffness-dependent differential levels of traction. This myosin-independent differential traction is regulated by polymerizing actin assisted by actin nucleators Arp2/3 and formin where formin has stronger contribution than Arp2/3. Interestingly, we report a four-fold reduction in traction of cells when both Arp2/3 and myosin were inhibited, compared to cells with only myosin inhibition, while there was only a slight …