Before revision: Bipolar myosin II filaments engage actin filament arrays to generate contractile forces in both muscle and non-muscle cells. Key determinants of actomyosin force generation include the mechanochemistry of individual motors, motor filament size, and the compliance and turnover of actin filament arrays. How these properties interact to control rate, magnitude, and mechanosensitivity of force production remains poorly understood.
After revision: Bipolar myosin II filaments engage actin filament arrays to generate contractile forces in cells. How their properties control force production in environments with varying stiffness is poorly understood.