Abstract
Rearrangements of the filamentous actin cytoskeleton at the leading edge of motile cells occur under large mechanical stresses. Contrary to conventional wisdom, we show that mechanical deformations applied during gelation can accelerate the rate of gelation and produce F-actin networks that are stiffer and mechanically more resilient than those polymerized under low or high shear deformations. Above a threshold shear strain amplitude, F-actin networks collapse and become soft and liquidlike. This effect of shear-induced strengthening of polymerizing networks depends on the state of hydrolysis of the actin-bound adenosine triphosphate.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 048301 |
Journal | Physical Review Letters |
Volume | 95 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 22 2005 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Physics and Astronomy