Year of publication:
2003
Journal name:
Journal of Molecular Medicine
Cardiac mechanotransduction and implications for heart disease
http://www.springerlink.com –
Mechanotransduction, the conversion of a mechanical stimulus into a cellular response, plays a fundamental role in cell volume regulation, fertilization, gravitaxis, proprioception, and the senses of hearing, touch, and balance. Mechanotransduction also fills important functions in the myocardium, where each cycle of contraction and relaxation leads to dynamic deformations. Since the initial observation of stretch induced muscle growth, our understanding of this complex field has been steadily growing, but remains incomplete. Read more »
Hierarchical Structure Controls Nanomechanical Properties of Vimentin Intermediate Filaments
http://www.plosone.org –
Intermediate filaments (IFs), in addition to microtubules and microfilaments, are one of the three major components of the cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells, playing a vital role in mechanotransduction and in providing mechanical stability to cells. Despite the importance of IF mechanics for cell biology and cell mechanics, the structural basis for their mechanical properties remains unknown. Specifically, our understanding of fundamental filament properties, such as the basis for their great extensibility, stiffening properties, and their exceptional mechanical resilience remains limited. Read more »
Year of publication:
2009
Journal name:
PLoS ONE