The tension mounts: Stress fibers as force-generating mechanotransducers

The tension mounts: Stress fibers as force-generating mechanotransducers

Stress fibers (SFs) are often the most prominent cytoskeletal structures in cells growing in tissue culture. Composed of actin filaments, myosin II, and many other proteins, SFs are force-generating and tension-bearing structures that respond to the surrounding physical environment. New work is shedding light on the mechanosensitive properties of SFs, including that these structures can respond...

The tension mounts at centromeric loops

Centromeres are more than just simple stretches of DNA that recruit the kineto-chore proteins required to bind spindle microtubules and segregate chromosomes during mitosis. In fact, the chromatin surrounding centromeres is organized into a spring-like structure that bridges the cen-tromeres of sister chromatids and resists the pull of spindle microtubules. The tension generated when sister kin...

Focal adhesions, stress fibers and mechanical tension

Stress fibers and focal adhesions are complex protein arrays that produce, transmit and sense mechanical tension. Evidence accumulated over many years led to the conclusion that mechanical tension generated within stress fibers contributes to the assembly of both stress fibers themselves and their associated focal adhesions. However, several lines of evidence have recently been presented agains...

The Force Generating Components

Stress relief to augment fertility: the pressure mounts.

Current studies have not conclusively demonstrated an objective and consistent marker of an aberrant stress response; an effect of such a stress response on reproductive outcome; or a benefit of counseling on reproductive outcome in such patients.