Actomyosin-dependent formation of the mechanosensitive talin-vinculin complex reinforces actin anchoring.

ABSTRACT: The force generated by the actomyosin cytoskeleton controls focal adhesion dynamics during cell migration. This process is thought to involve the mechanical unfolding of talin to expose cryptic vinculin-binding sites. However, the ability of the actomyosin cytoskeleton to directly control the formation of a talin-vinculin complex and the resulting activity of the complex are not known. Here we develop a microscopy assay with pure proteins in which the self-assembly of actomyosin cables controls the association of vinculin to a talin-micropatterned surface in a reversible manner. Quantifications indicate that talin refolding is limited by vinculin dissociation and modulated by the actomyosin network stability. Finally, we show that the activation of vinculin by stretched talin induces a pos

SUBMITTER: Ciobanasu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3916842 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature