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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Static Adhesion Assay for the Study of Integrin Activation in T Lymphocytes
Published on: June 13, 2014
Focal adhesion disassembly requires clathrin-dependent endocytosis of integrins
Wei-Ting Chao1, Jeannette Kunz
1Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, BCM335, RM T419, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Abstract:
Cell migration requires the controlled disassembly of focal adhesions, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we show that adhesion turnover is mediated through dynamin- and clathrin-dependent endocytosis of activated beta1 integrins. Consistent with this, clathrin and the clathrin adaptors AP-2 and disabled-2 (DAB2) distribute along with dynamin 2 to adhesion sites prior to adhesion disassembly. Moreover, knockdown of either dynamin 2 or both clathrin adaptors blocks beta1 integrin internalization, leading to impaired focal adhesion disassembly and cell migration. Together, these results provide important insight into the mechanisms underlying adhesion disassembly and identify novel components of the disassembly pathway.
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