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Cellular force‐sensing through actin filaments
Author(s) -
Sun Xiaoyu,
Alushin Gregory M.
Publication year - 2023
Publication title -
the febs journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.981
H-Index - 204
eISSN - 1742-4658
pISSN - 1742-464X
DOI - 10.1111/febs.16568
Subject(s) - actin , cytoskeleton , actin binding protein , actin remodeling , actin cytoskeleton , microbiology and biotechnology , microfilament , biophysics , chemistry , biology , cell , biochemistry
The actin cytoskeleton orchestrates cell mechanics and facilitates the physical integration of cells into tissues, while tissue‐scale forces and extracellular rigidity in turn govern cell behaviour. Here, we discuss recent evidence that actin filaments (F‐actin), the core building blocks of the actin cytoskeleton, also serve as molecular force sensors. We delineate two classes of proteins, which interpret forces applied to F‐actin through enhanced binding interactions: ‘mechanically tuned’ canonical actin‐binding proteins, whose constitutive F‐actin affinity is increased by force, and ‘mechanically switched’ proteins, which bind F‐actin only in the presence of force. We speculate mechanically tuned and mechanically switched actin‐binding proteins are biophysically suitable for coordinating cytoskeletal force‐feedback and mechanical signalling processes, respectively. Finally, we discuss potential mechanisms mediating force‐activated actin binding, which likely occurs both through the structural remodelling of F‐actin itself and geometric rearrangements of higher‐order actin networks. Understanding the interplay of these mechanisms will enable the dissection of force‐activated actin binding's specific biological functions.