Biomechanical properties of intermediate filaments: From tissues to single filaments and back

Article Abstract:

The discovery of naturally occurring micrometer-wide intermediate filament (IF) bundles and the development of new methods to mechanically probe single filaments have provided a modified view of IF biomechanics. The analysis has shown that IF has unique mechanical properties, which might offer simple structural basis for mechanical signal transduction and the mechanical activation of major cell signalling pathways.

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Left-right patterning from the inside out: Widespread evidence for intracellular control

Article Abstract:

An intracellular model of left-right (LR) patterning, the molecular mechanism that gives directed morphological asymmetries in otherwise symmetries organisms, is highlighted. Late-developing asymmetries pose a challenge to the intracellular model, however early mid-plane determination in many groups increases its plausibility.

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Kinesin motors as molecular machines

Article Abstract:

The mechanism by which kinesin microtubule motors convert ATP hydrolysis-derived energy into work is discussed. Research indicates that these molecular motors are of two types, plus- and minus-end kinesin motors, whose function involves several mechanical elements such as kinesins.

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