{"title":"Role of the cytoskeleton in cellular reprogramming: effects of biophysical and biochemical factors.","authors":"Ekaterina Momotyuk, Nour Ebrahim, Ksenia Shakirova, Erdem Dashinimaev","doi":"10.3389/fmolb.2025.1538806","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The cytoskeleton plays a crucial role in regulating cellular behavior, acting as both a structural framework and a mediator of mechanical and biochemical signals that influence cell fate. In the context of cellular reprogramming, modifications to the cytoskeleton can have profound effects on lineage commitment and differentiation efficiency. This review explores the impact of mechanical forces such as substrate stiffness, topography, extracellular fluid viscosity, and cell seeding density on cytoskeletal organization and mechanotransduction pathways, including Rho/ROCK and YAP/TAZ signaling. Additionally, we examine the influence of biochemical agents that modulate cytoskeletal dynamics, such as actin and microtubule polymerization inhibitors, and their effects on stem cell differentiation. By understanding how cytoskeletal remodeling governs cellular identity, this review highlights potential strategies for improving reprogramming efficiency and directing cell fate by manipulating mechanical and biochemical cues.</p>","PeriodicalId":12465,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences","volume":"12 ","pages":"1538806"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11926148/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences","FirstCategoryId":"99","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2025.1538806","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/1/1 0:00:00","PubModel":"eCollection","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
The cytoskeleton plays a crucial role in regulating cellular behavior, acting as both a structural framework and a mediator of mechanical and biochemical signals that influence cell fate. In the context of cellular reprogramming, modifications to the cytoskeleton can have profound effects on lineage commitment and differentiation efficiency. This review explores the impact of mechanical forces such as substrate stiffness, topography, extracellular fluid viscosity, and cell seeding density on cytoskeletal organization and mechanotransduction pathways, including Rho/ROCK and YAP/TAZ signaling. Additionally, we examine the influence of biochemical agents that modulate cytoskeletal dynamics, such as actin and microtubule polymerization inhibitors, and their effects on stem cell differentiation. By understanding how cytoskeletal remodeling governs cellular identity, this review highlights potential strategies for improving reprogramming efficiency and directing cell fate by manipulating mechanical and biochemical cues.
期刊介绍:
Much of contemporary investigation in the life sciences is devoted to the molecular-scale understanding of the relationships between genes and the environment — in particular, dynamic alterations in the levels, modifications, and interactions of cellular effectors, including proteins. Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences offers an international publication platform for basic as well as applied research; we encourage contributions spanning both established and emerging areas of biology. To this end, the journal draws from empirical disciplines such as structural biology, enzymology, biochemistry, and biophysics, capitalizing as well on the technological advancements that have enabled metabolomics and proteomics measurements in massively parallel throughput, and the development of robust and innovative computational biology strategies. We also recognize influences from medicine and technology, welcoming studies in molecular genetics, molecular diagnostics and therapeutics, and nanotechnology.
Our ultimate objective is the comprehensive illustration of the molecular mechanisms regulating proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, and small metabolites in organisms across all branches of life.
In addition to interesting new findings, techniques, and applications, Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences will consider new testable hypotheses to inspire different perspectives and stimulate scientific dialogue. The integration of in silico, in vitro, and in vivo approaches will benefit endeavors across all domains of the life sciences.