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Examining the Dynamics of Cellular Adhesion and Spreading of Epithelial Cells on Fibronectin During Oxidative Stress
Published on: October 13, 2019
Chapter 1. Focal adhesions: new angles on an old structure
Adi D Dubash1, Marisa M Menold, Thomas Samson
1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, CB#7295, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology
|September 22, 2009
Summary
Focal adhesions are crucial for cell adhesion and migration. Recent research explores their structure, function, and formation, particularly in response to biomaterials and mechanical forces, revealing remaining questions in cell biology.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Focal adhesions, discovered in 1971, are vital for cellular functions.
- Significant advancements in understanding their structure and roles in cell adhesion and migration have occurred over the past three decades.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a historical perspective and overview of focal adhesion biology.
- To highlight recent advances, including the role of Rho GTPases, integrins, and syndecans in focal adhesion formation.
- To discuss new insights from biomaterial surfaces and mechanotransduction.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on focal adhesion structure and function.
- Analysis of the roles of specific molecular components (Rho GTPases, integrins, syndecans).
- Examination of studies involving biomaterial interfaces and mechanotransduction principles.
Main Results:
- Detailed review of matrix adhesion types and Rho GTPase involvement.
- Discussion on the comparative roles of integrin and syndecan receptors.
- Integration of findings from biomaterial surface studies and mechanotransduction research.
Conclusions:
- Focal adhesion research has progressed significantly, revealing complex mechanisms.
- New insights are emerging from studying focal adhesions in engineered environments and under mechanical stress.
- Several key questions in focal adhesion biology remain open for future investigation.
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01:17Intracellular 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...
Some...
01:03Anchoring 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:...
01:26Tension 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
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α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
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01:24Adherens Junctions
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01:11Formation of Higher-order Actin Filaments
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The high-order actin networks...
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01:13Cell-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...
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