Nascent Integrin Adhesions Form on All Matrix Rigidities after Integrin Activation

Rishita Changede, Xiaochun Xu, Felix Margadant, Michael P. Sheetz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

66 Scopus citations

Abstract

Integrin adhesions assemble and mature in response to ligand binding and mechanical factors, but the molecular-level organization is not known. We report that ~100-nm clusters of ~50 β3-activated integrins form very early adhesions under a wide variety of conditions on RGD surfaces. These adhesions form similarly on fluid and rigid substrates, but most adhesions are transient on rigid substrates. Without talin or actin polymerization, few early adhesions form, but expression of either the talin head or rod domain in talin-depleted cells restores early adhesion formation. Mutation of the integrin binding site in the talin rod decreases cluster size. We suggest that the integrin clusters constitute universal early adhesions and that they are the modular units of cell matrix adhesions. They require the association of activated integrins with cytoplasmic proteins, in particular talin and actin, and cytoskeletal contraction on them causes adhesion maturation for cell motility and growth.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)614-621
Number of pages8
JournalDevelopmental cell
Volume35
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology

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