Departmental Papers (BE)
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of this Version
May 2007
Abstract
Cells undergo many structural-mechanical changes as an inextricable component of cellular motility, cytokinesis, and changes in cell shape. The mere act of receptor-mediated adhesion to extracellular matrix involves massive changes in cytoskeletal organization, spreading, and flattening of cells against the matrix, and the generation of traction forces through the contractile activity of cells. The primary force-generating proteins involved in these mechanical processes are thought to be the nonmuscle myosin II's (NMM-II). Of the three different nonmuscle myosin II isoforms that have been identified, two (NMM-IIA and NMM-IIB) are found almost ubiquitously in higher organisms. Yet, it has remained unclear whether these molecules play redundant, overlapping, or distinct roles in the varying mechanical functions of cells.
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Date Posted: 25 May 2007
This document has been peer reviewed.
Comments
Postprint version. Published in Biophysical Journal, Volume 92, Issue 9, May 2007, pages 2984-2985.
Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1529/biophysj.106.100065