Regulation and dynamics of force transmission at individual cell-matrix adhesion bonds

• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aax0317
• Publication Date: 2020-05-15T23:21:39Z
• Authors: Steven J. Tan; Alice C. Chang; Sarah M. Anderson; Cayla M. Miller; Louis S. Prahl; David J. Odde; Alexander R. Dunn
• Keywords: Matrix (chemical analysis)

Integrin-based adhesion complexes link the cytoskeleton to extracellular matrix (ECM) and are central construction of multicellular animal tissues. How biological function emerges from tens thousands proteins present within a single complex remains unclear. We used fluorescent molecular tension sensors visualize force transmission by individual integrins in living cells. These measurements revealed an underlying functional modularity which integrin class controlled size ECM ligand specificity, while number type connections between F-actin determined per integrin. In addition, we found that most existed state near-mechanical equilibrium, result not predicted existing models cytoskeletal transduction. A revised model includes reversible cross-links network can account for this suggests one means cellular mechanical homeostasis arise at level.