<br/>Proteins and other biomolecules in cells are constantly subjected to mechanical forces that cause them to be compressed or extended. These are due to passive thermal fluctuations as well as “active” processes with in the cell which consume molecules to produce mechanical work. Here I will discuss how these forces shape the conformational landscape of proteins, and in particular, roles that mechanical forces play in the context of the actin cytoskeleton. The actin cytoskeleton is an active mechanical gel within cells made up of non- covalent polymers of the protein actin, crosslinkers, and molecular motors. We will explore the multiscale nature of this system, where protein conformation and response to mechanical forces has an emergent large-scale effect on the macroscopic mechanical properties of the system.

Role of small mechanical forces in the function of proteins

ACS Spring 2022

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