Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Static Adhesion Assay for the Study of Integrin Activation in T Lymphocytes
Published on: June 13, 2014
Local call: from integrins to actin assembly
Sebastian Wiesner1, Anika Lange, Reinhard Fässler
1Department of Molecular Medicine, Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152 Martinsried, Germany.
Abstract:
Integrins link the extracellular matrix to the actin cytoskeleton by triggering the assembly of different types of adhesion complex. One of their major components is filamentous actin (F-actin), and they are important signaling hubs for actin cytoskeleton reorganization in response to chemical and mechanical signals. In an exciting publication, Butler et al. have demonstrated for the first time that purified adhesion complexes possess the entire machinery necessary to actively assemble F-actin as a function of integrin activity and clustering.
Related Concept Videos
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...
Activation of Integrins
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.
Integrins
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate.
Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation
Mechanism of Filopodia Formation
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...

