Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Activation of Integrins

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.

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

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...

Anchoring Junctions

Anchoring Junctions

Anchoring junctions are multiprotein complexes that help cells connect to other cells and the extracellular matrix. Anchoring junctions are present on the lateral and basal surfaces of cells, providing strong and flexible connections. Focal adhesions are often formed due to cell interactions with the ECM substrata, which initiate signal transduction via kinase cascades and other mechanisms. Together, they provide stability and tissue integrity. There are three types of anchoring junctions:...

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

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...

Adherens Junctions

Adherens Junctions

Strong contact points between adjacent cells anchor them to each other, forming tissues. Such anchoring junctions are of two types – adherens junctions and desmosomes. Adherens junctions are abundant in tissues such as epithelium and endothelium, forming a continuous zone of adhesion called the adhesion belt. In other tissues, such as heart muscle, they appear as clusters, linking the cells to produce coordinated heart muscle contraction.
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
The endothelial cells...

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Stress granule phase separation in stress-responsive cytosolic extract-in-oil droplets.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

Metal-Coordinated His-Tag Functionalization of Polymeric Nanogels for Therapeutic Applications.

ACS applied nano materials·2026

Same author

The molecular and functional interplay between the osteopetrosis-associated proteins SNX10, OSTM1, and CLC-7 during mouse osteoclastogenesis.

Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research·2025

Same author

Two-Photon Polymerized 3D Geometries to Study Single-Cell Mechanotransduction and Force Generation in Mesenchymal Stromal Cells.

Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)·2025

Same author

Differential effects of immobilized CCL21 and ICAM1 on TILs with distinct expansion properties.

Frontiers in immunology·2025

Same author

Elevated surface La promotes hyperfusion and contributes to impaired resorption in osteopetrosis.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

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

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

Published on: March 8, 2017

Environmental sensing through focal adhesions.

Benjamin Geiger¹, Joachim P Spatz, Alexander D Bershadsky

¹Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel. benny.geiger@weizmann.ac.il

Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology

|February 7, 2009

Summary

Cells sense their environment through integrin-based adhesion complexes, adjusting shape and motility. This involves crosstalk between focal adhesions and cytoskeletal forces like actin polymerization and contraction.

More Related Videos

Measurement of Force-Sensitive Protein Dynamics in Living Cells Using a Combination of Fluorescent Techniques

Measurement of Force-Sensitive Protein Dynamics in Living Cells Using a Combination of Fluorescent Techniques

Published on: November 2, 2018

Examining the Dynamics of Cellular Adhesion and Spreading of Epithelial Cells on Fibronectin During Oxidative Stress

Examining the Dynamics of Cellular Adhesion and Spreading of Epithelial Cells on Fibronectin During Oxidative Stress

Published on: October 13, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 11, 2026

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

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

Published on: March 8, 2017

Measurement of Force-Sensitive Protein Dynamics in Living Cells Using a Combination of Fluorescent Techniques

Measurement of Force-Sensitive Protein Dynamics in Living Cells Using a Combination of Fluorescent Techniques

Published on: November 2, 2018

Examining the Dynamics of Cellular Adhesion and Spreading of Epithelial Cells on Fibronectin During Oxidative Stress

Examining the Dynamics of Cellular Adhesion and Spreading of Epithelial Cells on Fibronectin During Oxidative Stress

Published on: October 13, 2019

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Biophysics
Biomaterials

Background:

Cells dynamically alter cytoskeletal organization, shape, and motility in response to microenvironmental cues.
Integrin-based adhesion complexes are crucial for sensing extracellular biochemical and physical properties.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the mechanisms by which cells sense their microenvironment.
To explore the crosstalk between focal adhesion assembly and cytoskeletal forces.

Main Methods:

Investigated cellular responses to artificial cellular microenvironments and nanoenvironments.
Focused on integrin-based adhesion complexes, particularly focal adhesions.
Analyzed the role of actin polymerization and actomyosin contraction in environmental sensing.

Main Results:

Cells exhibit remarkable adaptability to subtle environmental changes.
Integrin-based adhesions recognize diverse extracellular characteristics, including pliability, dimensionality, and ligand spacing.
A finely tuned crosstalk exists between focal adhesion assembly and cytoskeletal network forces.

Conclusions:

Cellular environmental sensing is mediated by integrin-based adhesion complexes.
Cytoskeletal forces, driven by actin polymerization and actomyosin contraction, are integral to this sensing mechanism.
Understanding this crosstalk provides insights into cell behavior in engineered microenvironments.