Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

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,...
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Identifying and mapping key relationships and communication pathways influencing farmers' antibiotic use in production animals: a scoping review.

One health outlook·2026
Same author

Highlighting the need for more holistic, participatory design of assistive technologies in displacement settings.

Frontiers in public health·2026
Same author

Migration corridors in Africa and access to health services: Current challenges and a path forward for research and practice.

Journal of public health in Africa·2026
Same author

Microplastics as active modulators of <i>Escherichia coli</i> biofilm characteristics and their implications on the development of antimicrobial resistance.

Biofilm·2026
Same author

Advancing health research practices among forcibly displaced populations: A multidisciplinary stakeholder workshop.

Health research policy and systems·2026
Same author

Limited integration of one health and antimicrobial resistance within biodiversity strategies.

Discover public health·2025
Same journal

Age-related adaptations in acceleration and deceleration control during gait.

Journal of biomechanics·2026
Same journal

Regional mechanical differences in hamstring muscles after removal of surrounding connective tissue.

Journal of biomechanics·2026
Same journal

A novel knee joint laxity measurement device in mice.

Journal of biomechanics·2026
Same journal

Influence of iliofemoral ligament laxity on hip joint contact forces during gait.

Journal of biomechanics·2026
Same journal

Associations of sagittal spinal alignment with shear wave velocity, thickness, and echo intensity of muscles attached to the spine and pelvis in healthy women.

Journal of biomechanics·2026
Same journal

The gait lab effect: symmetry restoration strategy after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is different in natural environments than the gait laboratory.

Journal of biomechanics·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 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 biomechanical integrin.

Erin L Baker1, Muhammad H Zaman

  • 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, USA.

Journal of Biomechanics
|October 9, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Integrin mechanobiology research has advanced our understanding of cell mechanics and tissue structure. Future studies should explore 3D environments and computational models for disease research.

More Related Videos

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

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

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 19, 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

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

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

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Integrins are central to cellular mechanotransduction.
  • Past research focused on biochemical roles, with less emphasis on mechanical functions.
  • Understanding integrin mechanics is crucial for various physiological and pathological processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current knowledge of integrin mechanobiology.
  • To highlight the role of integrins in tissue structure, force transfer, cell migration, and cancer.
  • To identify future research directions in integrin mechanobiology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of integrin mechanobiology.
  • Examination of integrin roles in tissue stabilization, force transfer, cell migration, and cancer pathology.
  • Discussion of current knowledge gaps and future research needs.

Main Results:

  • Integrins play a significant role in stabilizing tissue structure.
  • Mechanisms of integrin force transfer are critical for cellular functions.
  • Integrins are implicated in cell migration and the pathology of cancer.

Conclusions:

  • Future integrin mechanobiology research must focus on 3D cellular environments.
  • Integrating current knowledge into computational models is essential for predicting integrin behavior.
  • Addressing these gaps will advance research in cancer and other diseases.