... changes in cytoskeletal and nuclear structure or mechanics. The extent of this response and the efficiency with which the mechanical signal is transferred through the cell and to the nucleus depend on the level of isometric tension or prestress in the cytoskeleton. Cell-generated tensile forces not only...

... stresses; and (4) a large-scale repositioning response with prolonged (>1 minute) stress. Importantly, these adaptation responses differed biochemically. The immediate and early responses were affected by chemically dissipating cytoskeletal prestress (isometric tension), whereas the later adaptive...

... contractile stress. The non-muscle myosin II inhibitor blebbistatin inhibits relaxation for either case. Myotubes in culture are thus clearly prestressed by myosin II, and this contractility couples to substrate compliance and ultimately influences actomyosin striation. * Author for correspondence (e...