title: The mechanochemistry of cytoskeletal force generation.
abstract: In this communication, we propose a model to study the non-equilibrium process by which actin stress fibers develop force in contractile cells. The emphasis here is on the non-equilibrium thermodynamics, which is necessary to address the mechanics as well as the chemistry of dynamic cell contractility. In this setting, we are able to develop a framework that relates (a) the dynamics of force generation within the cell and (b) the cell's response to external stimuli to the chemical processes occurring within the cell, as well as to the mechanics of linkage between the stress fibers, focal adhesions and extracellular matrix.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA, mmaraldi@umich.edu.
authors.forename: Mirko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maraldi
authors.forename: Krishna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Garikipati
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000502:physiology*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology*; D022001:Focal Adhesions / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D022502:Stress Fibers / Q000502:physiology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013718:Tensile Strength / Q000502:physiology