Disordered actomyosin networks are sufficient to produce cooperative and telescopic contractility

Ian Linsmeier, Shiladitya Banerjee, Patrick W. Oakes, Wonyeong Jung, Taeyoon Kim and Michael P. Murrell ()
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Ian Linsmeier: Yale University
Shiladitya Banerjee: James Franck Institute, University of Chicago
Patrick W. Oakes: James Franck Institute, University of Chicago
Wonyeong Jung: School of Mechanical Engineering, 585 Purdue Mall, Purdue University
Taeyoon Kim: Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering
Michael P. Murrell: Yale University

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract While the molecular interactions between individual myosin motors and F-actin are well established, the relationship between F-actin organization and actomyosin forces remains poorly understood. Here we explore the accumulation of myosin-induced stresses within a two-dimensional biomimetic model of the disordered actomyosin cytoskeleton, where myosin activity is controlled spatiotemporally using light. By controlling the geometry and the duration of myosin activation, we show that contraction of disordered actin networks is highly cooperative, telescopic with the activation size, and capable of generating non-uniform patterns of mechanical stress. We quantitatively reproduce these collective biomimetic properties using an isotropic active gel model of the actomyosin cytoskeleton, and explore the physical origins of telescopic contractility in disordered networks using agent-based simulations.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12615

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