The mechanical integrin cycle

Eileen Puklin-Faucher, Michael P. Sheetz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

210 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cells govern tissue shape by exerting highly regulated forces at sites of matrix adhesion. As the major force-bearing adhesion-receptor protein, integrins have a central role in how cells sense and respond to the mechanics of their surroundings. Recent studies have shown that a key aspect of mechanotransduction is the cycle by which integrins bind to the matrix at the leading cell edge, attach to the cytoskeleton, transduce mechanical force, aggregate in the plasma membrane as part of increasingly strengthened adhesion complexes, unbind and, ultimately, are recycled. This mechanical cycle enables the transition from early complexes to larger, more stable adhesions that can then rapidly release. Within this mechanical cycle, integrins themselves exhibit intramolecular conformational change that regulates their binding affinity and may also be dependent upon force. How the cell integrates these dynamic elements into a rigidity response is not clear. Here, we focus on the steps in the integrin mechanical cycle that are sensitive to force and closely linked to integrin function, such as the lateral alignment of integrin aggregates and related adhesion components.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)179-186
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Cell Science
Volume122
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 15 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adhesion remodelling
  • Cell-matrix adhesion
  • Integrin dynamics
  • Integrin seregation
  • Mechanotransduction
  • Talin
  • Vinculin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cell Biology

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