Plastic deformation and fragmentation of strained actin filaments (Biophysical Journal)

The assembly of actin filaments and filament networks generate forces that drive cell and vesicle movement. These structures and the comprising actin filaments must be mechanically stable to sustain these forces and maintain their structural integrity. Filaments in these dynamic structures must also be disassembled to recycle and replenish the pool of actin monomers available for polymerization. Actin severing proteins such as cofilin and contractile myosin motor proteins fragment these nominally stable structures.