| 研究実績の概要 |
Based on a novel hypothesis, the research aimed to figure out the molecular mechanisms of stress fiber disassembly in non-muscle cells exposed to cyclic stretch. I have specified the molecule mechanisms responsible for the disassembly of stress fibers by enhancing or suppressing the activities of cofilin or non-muscle myosin II and pointed out that the effect of non-muscle myosin II was more essential for stress fiber disassembly.
Seeing is believing. In 2014, in order to further establish the validity of this conclusion, I tried to figure out the patterns (intact sarcomeric units or G-actin monomers) of stress fiber disassembly. Since conventional cyclic stretch apparatus are not suitable for real-time observation, a new cyclic stretch system was developed to confirm the effects of lengthening/shortening phases of cyclic stretch on stress fiber disassembly. Because the displacements of stretch chamber in horizontal and vertical directions were compensated in real-time, changes of stress fibers caused by mechanical stimulation can be observed during the lengthening/shortening phase of each cycle using a camera mounted on a microscope, without turning off the apparatus, and therefore, investigation of specific effects of lengthening/shortening phases and the patterns of stress fiber disassembly became possible.
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