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

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions01:26

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

3.7K
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...
3.7K
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

3.7K
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...
3.7K
Role of Myosin in Cell Migration01:18

Role of Myosin in Cell Migration

3.5K
Myosins are multimeric motor proteins involved in various cellular processes such as migration, adhesion, and proliferation. Myosin II is the most common type in animal cells, which binds and cross-links actin filaments.
Myosin II  is a hexamer comprising two heavy chains with globular heads and coiled-coil tails, two regulatory light chains, and two essential light chains. The ATPase sites on the myosin heads hydrolyze ATP, and the released phosphate generates the force for contraction....
3.5K
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels01:12

Mechanically-gated Ion Channels

7.9K
Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...
7.9K
Mechanical Protein Functions01:58

Mechanical Protein Functions

5.8K
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. 
5.8K
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions01:17

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

3.7K
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...
3.7K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Physical continuity at biomaterial-ECM interfaces is associated with reduced fibroblast activation and NF-κB signaling.

Biomaterials·2026
Same author

Metabolic control of smooth muscle cell phenotype switching in atherosclerosis.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

In memoriam: Richard O. Hynes.

The Journal of cell biology·2026
Same author

Mechanosensing in vascular health and disease.

Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS·2026
Same author

Physical continuity at biomaterial-ECM interfaces regulate fibroblast activation via NF-κB.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Deletion of endothelial KLF4 as a model for preeclampsia.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same journal

Six ways to put the public at the heart of science and policy.

Nature·2026
Same journal

The complex truth about trust in science.

Nature·2026
Same journal

Have people stopped trusting science? The data tell a surprising story.

Nature·2026
Same journal

How FAIR data are helping to build trust in science.

Nature·2026
Same journal

Scientists should recognize their own political biases to build public trust.

Nature·2026
Same journal

Harmonizing standards and resources for the medical genome.

Nature·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Measurement of Force-Sensitive Protein Dynamics in Living Cells Using a Combination of Fluorescent Techniques
08:28

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

Published on: November 2, 2018

8.8K

Dynamic molecular processes mediate cellular mechanotransduction.

Brenton D Hoffman1, Carsten Grashoff, Martin A Schwartz

  • 1Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA.

Nature
|July 22, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cells sense mechanical forces through dynamic structures like the cytoskeleton. Understanding how these cellular responses to mechanical forces impact development, physiology, and diseases is key.

More Related Videos

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

9.0K
A Simplified System for Evaluating Cell Mechanosensing and Durotaxis In Vitro
09:50

A Simplified System for Evaluating Cell Mechanosensing and Durotaxis In Vitro

Published on: August 27, 2015

8.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Measurement of Force-Sensitive Protein Dynamics in Living Cells Using a Combination of Fluorescent Techniques
08:28

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

Published on: November 2, 2018

8.8K
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

9.0K
A Simplified System for Evaluating Cell Mechanosensing and Durotaxis In Vitro
09:50

A Simplified System for Evaluating Cell Mechanosensing and Durotaxis In Vitro

Published on: August 27, 2015

8.7K

Area of Science:

  • Cellular mechanobiology
  • Biophysics
  • Molecular and Cellular Physiology

Background:

  • Cellular responses to mechanical forces are vital for embryonic development and adult physiology.
  • These responses are implicated in various diseases, including cancer, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular conditions.
  • Load-bearing subcellular structures (plasma membrane, cell-adhesion complexes, cytoskeleton) mediate these mechanical responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the dynamic nature of subcellular structures involved in force transduction.
  • To elucidate how the dynamic assembly and disassembly of these structures influence cellular signaling.
  • To explain how varying force characteristics regulate distinct biochemical signaling pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Investigating the dynamic assembly, disassembly, and movement of load-bearing subcellular structures.
  • Analyzing the context-dependent transduction of mechanical forces into biochemical signals.
  • Examining the regulation of signaling pathways by different force strengths and dynamics.

Main Results:

  • Subcellular structures are highly dynamic, even when appearing stable.
  • Force transduction into biochemical signals is intrinsically linked to the dynamic processes of these structures.
  • The characteristics of mechanical forces (strength, dynamics) dictate the specific signaling pathways activated.

Conclusions:

  • Cellular responses to mechanical forces are mediated by dynamic subcellular structures.
  • The dynamic nature of these structures is crucial for effective force-to-signal transduction.
  • This dynamic framework explains how mechanical forces regulate cellular functions and disease processes.