Retrograde fluxes of focal adhesion proteins in response to cell migration and mechanical signals.

ABSTRACT: Recent studies suggest that mechanical signals mediated by the extracellular matrix play an essential role in various physiological and pathological processes; yet, how cells respond to mechanical stimuli remains elusive. Using live cell fluorescence imaging, we found that actin filaments, in association with a number of focal adhesion proteins, including zyxin and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein, undergo retrograde fluxes at focal adhesions in the lamella region. This flux is inversely related to cell migration, such that it is amplified in fibroblasts immobilized on micropatterned islands. In addition, the flux is regulated by mechanical signals, including stretching forces applied to flexible substrates and substrate stiffness. Conditions favoring the flux share the common feature

SUBMITTER: Guo WH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2043553 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature