Figure 5.

Mechanical functions of key tethered proteins. a Representation of one half-sarcomere, highlighting actin-based thin filaments and myosin-containing thick filaments. Titin runs along the sarcomere from the Z- to the M-lines. MyBP-C is located at the A-band of sarcomeres where it interacts both with thin and thick filaments. b Talin interacts with actin filaments and adhesion proteins such as integrins. Mechanical force unfolds talin domains resulting in the exposure of binding sites for partners such as vinculin. c Adhesive pili in bacteria withstand mechanical perturbations induced by flow and shearing. d Filamin dimers bridge actin filaments and therefore are subject to mechanical force when there is relative movement between the filaments. Similar to the talin/vinculin system, mechanical force induces the exposure of cryptic binding sites in rod 2 domains.