A ligand-independent integrin β1 mechanosensory complex guides spindle orientation.

ABSTRACT: Control of spindle orientation is a fundamental process for embryonic development, morphogenesis and tissue homeostasis, while defects are associated with tumorigenesis and other diseases. Force sensing is one of the mechanisms through which division orientation is determined. Here we show that integrin β1 plays a critical role in this process, becoming activated at the lateral regions of the cell cortex in a ligand-independent manner. This activation is force dependent and polar, correlating with the spindle capture sites. Inhibition of integrin β1 activation on the cortex and disruption of its asymmetric distribution leads to spindle misorientation, even when cell adhesion is β1 independent. Examining downstream targets reveals that a cortical mechanosensory complex forms on active β1, a

SUBMITTER: Petridou NI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4786777 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature