Strain dependence of cytoskeleton elasticity

Abstract

We describe the mechanosensing mechanism in actin–myosin networks based on the tension dependence of the motor detachment rate and a possibility of rupture of actin filaments under strain. Both effects, operating at different orientations to the applied strain, induce orientational anisotropy of the network. The theory is applied to explain quantitatively the drastic reduction of the elastic modulus under oscillatory strain observed in the experiment.