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Related Concept Videos

Activation of Integrins01:15

Activation of Integrins

Integrins bind ligands and transmit information from outside the cell to inside or vice-versa through an "outside-in signaling" or "inside-out signaling."
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.
Integrins01:10

Integrins

Animal and protozoan cells do not have cell walls to help maintain shape and provide structural stability. Instead, these eukaryotic cells secrete a sticky mass of carbohydrates and proteins into the spaces between adjacent cells. This network of proteins and molecules is called an extracellular matrix or ECM.
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,...
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions01:17

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Tension Response at Adherens Junctions01:26

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

The adherens junctions that anchor cells together are multi-protein complexes that dynamically adapt to mechanical stimuli such as tensile forces and shear stress. Mechanosensory proteins in these junctions can sense such mechanical stimuli and undergo a shift in their conformation, resulting in an altered function — a process called mechanotransduction.
α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
The α-catenin of adherens junctions is an allosteric protein with three VH (vinculin homology) domains...
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue. 
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions01:24

Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions

The extracellular matrix or ECM holds cells together to form a tissue and allows the cells within the tissue to communicate. ECM comprises proteins such as fibronectin, collagen, laminin, etc. The most abundant protein in this space is collagen. Collagen fibers are interwoven with carbohydrate-containing protein molecules called proteoglycans. ECM allows cell migration and provides a structural scaffold at cell adhesion that anchors the cell when the extracellular matrix proteins interact with...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Analyzing Cell Surface Adhesion Remodeling in Response to Mechanical Tension Using Magnetic Beads
07:55

Analyzing Cell Surface Adhesion Remodeling in Response to Mechanical Tension Using Magnetic Beads

Published on: March 8, 2017

The mechanical integrin cycle.

Eileen Puklin-Faucher1, Michael P Sheetz

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.

Journal of Cell Science
|January 2, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cells use integrins to sense and respond to mechanical forces from their environment. This study focuses on how integrin mechanical cycles, including conformational changes and aggregation, contribute to cellular mechanotransduction and adhesion strengthening.

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Imaging Integrin Tension and Cellular Force at Submicron Resolution with an Integrative Tension Sensor
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Imaging Integrin Tension and Cellular Force at Submicron Resolution with an Integrative Tension Sensor

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Analyzing Cell Surface Adhesion Remodeling in Response to Mechanical Tension Using Magnetic Beads
07:55

Analyzing Cell Surface Adhesion Remodeling in Response to Mechanical Tension Using Magnetic Beads

Published on: March 8, 2017

Tension Gauge Tether Probes for Quantifying Growth Factor Mediated Integrin Mechanics and Adhesion
09:56

Tension Gauge Tether Probes for Quantifying Growth Factor Mediated Integrin Mechanics and Adhesion

Published on: February 11, 2022

Imaging Integrin Tension and Cellular Force at Submicron Resolution with an Integrative Tension Sensor
07:20

Imaging Integrin Tension and Cellular Force at Submicron Resolution with an Integrative Tension Sensor

Published on: April 25, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Cells regulate tissue shape through forces at matrix adhesion sites.
  • Integrins are key force-bearing adhesion receptors mediating cell-environment mechanical interactions.
  • Cellular mechanotransduction involves a dynamic cycle of integrin binding, force transduction, aggregation, and recycling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the force-sensitive steps within the integrin mechanical cycle.
  • To understand how integrin dynamics contribute to cellular responses to matrix rigidity.
  • To elucidate the role of integrin aggregation and conformational changes in mechanotransduction.

Main Methods:

  • Focus on force-sensitive steps in the integrin mechanical cycle.
  • Analysis of integrin aggregation and related adhesion components.
  • Investigating intramolecular conformational changes in integrins under force.

Main Results:

  • Integrin mechanical cycles are crucial for transitioning from initial to stable adhesions.
  • Force influences integrin binding affinity and conformational states.
  • Lateral alignment of integrin aggregates is a key force-sensitive event.

Conclusions:

  • Integrin mechanical cycles are fundamental to cellular force sensing and adhesion dynamics.
  • Understanding these cycles is vital for comprehending how cells respond to mechanical cues.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the integration of these dynamic elements into rigidity responses.