Cell mechanosensitivity controls the anisotropy of focal adhesions.

Actin machinery and mechanosensitivity in invadopodia, podosomes and focal adhesions.

The invasiveness of cells is correlated with the presence of dynamic actin-rich membrane structures called invadopodia, which are membrane protrusions that are associated with localized polymerization of sub-membrane actin filaments. Similar to focal adhesions and podosomes, invadopodia are cell-matrix adhesion sites. Indeed, invadopodia share several features with podosomes, but whether they a...

Actin Dynamics Associated with Focal Adhesions

Cell-matrix adhesion plays a major role during cell migration. Proteins from adhesion structures connect the extracellular matrix to the actin cytoskeleton, allowing the growing actin network to push the plasma membrane and the contractile cables (stress fibers) to pull the cell body. Force transmission to the extracellular matrix depends on several parameters including the regulation of actin ...

Adhesion-dependent cell mechanosensitivity.

The conversion of physical signals, such as contractile forces or external mechanical perturbations, into chemical signaling events is a fundamental cellular process that occurs at cell-extracellular matrix contacts, known as focal adhesions. At these sites, transmembrane integrin receptors are associated via their cytoplasmic domains with the actin cytoskeleton. This interaction with actin is ...

Correction: Talin tension sensor reveals novel features of focal adhesion force transmission and mechanosensitivity

Talin tension sensor reveals novel features of focal adhesion force transmission and mechanosensitivity

Integrin-dependent adhesions are mechanosensitive structures in which talin mediates a linkage to actin filaments either directly or indirectly by recruiting vinculin. Here, we report the development and validation of a talin tension sensor. We find that talin in focal adhesions is under tension, which is higher in peripheral than central adhesions. Tension on talin is increased by vinculin and...