Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
08:30
Single Cell Durotaxis Assay for Assessing Mechanical Control of Cellular Movement and Related Signaling Events
Published on: August 27, 2019
Mechanical signaling on the single protein level studied using steered molecular dynamics
Georgi Z Genchev1, Morten Källberg, Gamze Gürsoy
1Bioinformatics Program, Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics
|August 12, 2009
Summary
Mechanical force plays a key role in cell signaling. This review explores how steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations reveal atomic-level details of mechanical signal transduction in proteins.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
- Computational Biology
Background:
- Cellular communication is vital for multicellular organisms.
- Research has primarily focused on chemical and electrical signaling.
- Mechanical force's role in signal transduction is an emerging area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review computational efforts on mechanical force in signal transduction.
- To highlight the utility of steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations.
- To illustrate different regimes of mechanical signal transfer.
Main Methods:
- Focus on steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations.
- Analysis of atomic-level details in protein domains.
- Review of existing literature and computational studies.
Main Results:
- SMD simulations provide atomic insights into mechanically sensitive protein domains.
- Three regimes of mechanical signal transfer are identified: purely mechanical, mechanical-to-chemical, and chemical-to-mechanical.
- Examples demonstrate the physiological importance of mechanical signaling.
Conclusions:
- Mechanical force is a significant factor in cellular communication.
- SMD is a powerful tool for understanding mechanical signal transduction.
- Future research will further elucidate the complexities of mechanical signaling pathways.
Related Concept Videos
01:58Mechanical Protein Functions
Proteins perform many mechanical functions in a cell. These proteins can be classified into two general categories- proteins that generate mechanical forces and proteins that are subjected to mechanical forces. Proteins providing mechanical support to the structure of the cell, such as keratin, are subjected to mechanical force, whereas proteins involved in cell movement and transport of molecules across cell membranes, such as an ion pump, are examples of generating mechanical force.
01:16Calmodulin-dependent Signaling
Calmodulin (CaM) is a calcium-binding protein in eukaryotes that controls various calcium-regulated cellular processes. It has four calcium-binding sites that bind calcium to form the calcium-calmodulin ( Ca2+-CaM) complex. GPCR stimulation increases the calcium levels in the cells that bind to CaM and induces a conformational change.
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
01:58Mechanical Protein Function
Proteins perform many mechanical functions in a cell. These proteins can be classified into two general categories- proteins that generate mechanical forces and proteins that are subjected to mechanical forces. Proteins providing mechanical support to the structure of the cell, such as keratin, are subjected to mechanical force, whereas proteins involved in cell movement and transport of molecules across cell membranes, such as an ion pump, are examples of generating mechanical force.
01:30Assembly of Signaling Complexes
Multiprotein signaling complexes are formed in a dynamic process involving protein-protein interactions at the cytoplasmic domain of transmembrane receptors or enzymatic and non-enzymatic proteins associated with the receptor. These complexes ensure the activation and propagation of intracellular signals that regulate cell functions.
Interaction domains in cell signaling
Interaction domains recognize exposed features of their binding partners containing post-translationally modified sequences,...
Interaction domains in cell signaling
Interaction domains recognize exposed features of their binding partners containing post-translationally modified sequences,...
01:32Types of Signaling Molecules
In multicellular organisms, many molecules transmit signals between cells to pass information. These signals vary in complexity and include small peptides, nucleotides, steroids, fatty acid derivatives, and dissolved gases such as nitric oxide. Some signaling molecules diffuse through the plasma membrane to act locally between neighboring cells or travel long distances. Others remain attached to the cell surface, transmitting information to other cells only when they make contact. In some...
01:19Contact-dependent Signaling
Contact-dependent signaling, as the name suggests, requires that communicating cells be in direct contact with each other. This is achieved either through receptor-ligand interactions or by specialized cytoplasmic channels that allow the flow of small molecules between cells. In animal cells, channels called gap junctions facilitate contact-dependent signaling in certain tissues, whereas, plasmodesmata perform a similar function in plants.
Gap Junctions
In animal cells, gap junctions are formed...
Gap Junctions
In animal cells, gap junctions are formed...