Intrinsic self-organization of integrin nanoclusters within focal adhesions is required for cellular mechanotransduction.

ABSTRACT: Upon interaction with the extracellular matrix, the integrin receptors form nanoclusters as a first biochemical response to ligand binding. Here, we uncover a critical biodesign principle where these nanoclusters are spatially self-organized, facilitating effective mechanotransduction. Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts (MEFs) with integrin β3 nanoclusters organized themselves with an intercluster distance of ~550 nm on uniformly coated fibronectin substrates, leading to larger focal adhesions. We determined that this spatial organization was driven by cell-intrinsic factors since there was no pre-existing pattern on the substrates. Altering this spatial organization using cyclo-RGD functionalized Titanium nanodiscs (of 100 nm, corroborating to the integrin nanocluster size) spaced at intervals o

SUBMITTER: Jain K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10690202 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature