Actin stress fibres

2007/10/10 by Stéphanie Pellegrin, Harry Mellor · 1 voice · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · #Cellular Mechanics and Interactions #Cardiomyopathy and Myosin Studies #Muscle Physiology and Disorders

paper · doi:10.1242/jcs.018473

openalex publication_date 2007/10/10 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/16

Abstract

Animal cell movement is effected through a combination of protrusive and contractile events. Non-muscle cells contain stress fibres - bundles of actomyosin that are the major mediators of cell contraction and that can be compared to the highly organised actomyosin arrays of muscle cells. Recent studies have defined regulatory mechanisms that control stress fibre formation, placing the ROCK protein kinase at the centre of a complex signalling network controlling actomyosin contractility and stress fibre assembly. As we uncover the details of stress fibre construction, it is becoming clear that different categories of stress fibres exist. Some of these structures are less suited for cell motility and more suited to static contraction. In keeping with this, many specialised contractile cell types use stress fibres to remodel tissues and extracellular matrix.

Citations

• Dual Ser and Thr phosphorylation of CPI‐17, an inhibitor of myosin phosphatase, by MYPT‐associated kinase
• Phosphorylation of CPI‐17, an inhibitory phosphoprotein of smooth muscle myosin phosphatase, by Rho‐kinase

Cited by

• Correlative cryo-ET identifies actin/tropomyosin filaments that mediate cell–substrate adhesion in cancer cells and mechanosensitivity of cell proliferation

Discussions

• (2/n) Stress fibers have many functions in adherent cells, but one main purpose seems to be to protect them from mechanical damage and to ensure structural integrity, because they often form in stress [bsky, 2 points, 1 comments]

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