Mechanical forces play major role in regulating cells
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 - 08:30
in Biology & Nature
Researchers have for the first time demonstrated that mechanical forces can control the depolymerization of actin, a critical protein that provides the major force-bearing structure in the cytoskeletons of cells. The research suggests that forces applied both externally and internally may play a much larger role than previously believed in regulating a range of processes inside cells.