Actomyosin Ring
Actomyosin Ring - Related Videos
08:50
The Mechanics of (Poro-)Elastic Contractile Actomyosin Networks As a Model System of the Cell Cytoskeleton
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Cited by 3 •
2023
In this work, an in vitro reconstitution approach is employed to study the poroelasticity of actomyosin gels under controlled conditions. The dynamics of the actomyosin gel and the embedded solvent are quantified, through which the network poroelasticity is demonstrated. We also discuss the experimental challenges, common pitfalls, and relevance to cell cytoskeleton mechanics.
12:35
Optogenetic Inhibition of Rho1-Mediated Actomyosin Contractility Coupled with Measurement of Epithelial Tension in Drosophila Embryos
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2023
Actomyosin contractility plays an important role in cell and tissue morphogenesis. However, it is challenging to manipulate actomyosin contractility in vivo acutely. This protocol describes an optogenetic system that rapidly inhibits Rho1-mediated actomyosin contractility in Drosophila embryos, revealing the immediate loss of epithelial tension after the inactivation of actomyosin in vivo.
10:45
Analysis of Actomyosin Dynamics at Local Cellular and Tissue Scales Using Time-lapse Movies of Cultured Drosophila Egg Chambers
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Cited by 2 •
2019
This protocol provides a Fiji-based, user-friendly methodology along with straightforward instructions explaining how to reliably analyze actomyosin behavior in individual cells and curved epithelial tissues. No programming skills are required to follow the tutorial; all steps are performed in a semi-interactive manner using the graphical user interface of Fiji and associated plugins.
08:30
X-ray Dose Reduction through Adaptive Exposure in Fluoroscopic Imaging
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Cited by 2 •
2011
We are developing a dynamic adaptive exposure technique using our scanning beam digital X-ray system. Rather than exposing an object uniformly, the exposure is adapted depending on the opacity of the object. Here we show an experiment on an anthropomorphic phantom that resulted in a dose saving of 30%.
08:52
An Introduction to Cell Motility and Migration
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2023
Cell motility and migration play important roles in both normal biology and in disease. On one hand, migration allows cells to generate complex tissues and organs during development, but on the other hand, the same mechanisms are used by tumor cells to move and spread in a process known as cancer metastasis. One of the primary cellular machineries that make cell movement possible is an intracellular network of myosin and actin molecules, together known as “actomyosin”, which creates a...
FAQs
Myosin II produces sliding forces within the actin network, causing the ring to tighten. This constriction pulls the plasma membrane inward and creates a cleavage furrow during cytokinesis. The key mechanical relationship is therefore between motor-driven actin sliding, ring tightening, and membrane deformation, which ultimately supports separation of one cell into two.
The ring must be assembled and mechanically regulated so that its activity produces an organized change in cell shape. Studying these properties helps explain how cytoskeletal forces are coordinated during cytokinesis. Changes in assembly, dynamics, or force control can affect the ring’s ability to tighten and guide formation of the cleavage furrow.
Its contractile activity also supports wound closure, tissue morphogenesis, and organization of cellular boundaries. In these settings, the same general combination of actin-based structure and myosin-generated force helps cells or tissues change shape and maintain organization. This broader role connects ring mechanics with processes that extend beyond dividing a single cell.
Researchers focus on how the ring assembles, how its components change over time, and how mechanical regulation controls its behavior. They also consider the resulting effects on cell shape, membrane movement, and separation during cytokinesis. These observations connect cytoskeletal organization with the physical changes that occur during cellular remodeling.
Actomyosin rings are relevant because their contractile behavior contributes to tissue morphogenesis, the process by which tissues acquire organized forms. By examining how ring activity changes cell shape and cellular boundaries, researchers can relate cytoskeletal mechanics to developmental tissue structure. This provides a framework for connecting molecular-scale forces with larger biological patterns.
Defects in cytoskeletal control can disrupt tissue structure and function. Because actomyosin rings help coordinate cell division, wound closure, tissue morphogenesis, and cellular boundaries, faulty assembly or mechanical regulation may interfere with these processes. Studying such defects helps clarify how changes in cytoskeletal behavior can produce broader cellular and tissue-level consequences.