Evolutionarily diverse LIM domain-containing proteins bind stressed actin filaments through a conserved mechanism

Genes encoding LIM domains underwent a large expansion in animals. These LIM domain-containing proteins are functionally diverse and involved in a variety of fundamental cellular processes. Previous work suggests that many are sensitive to mechanical forces experienced by the cell. This study finds that many of these proteins in animals detect stressed cytoskeletal networks in cells by directly binding to a stretched conformation of the actin filament. This mechanism of force sensing by LIM within the cell is conserved from yeasts to mammals. This work suggests the possibility that a variety of biological pathways may be regulated by LIM domain detection of strained actin filaments.