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Updated: May 18, 2026

Imaging Integrin Tension and Cellular Force at Submicron Resolution with an Integrative Tension Sensor
Published on: April 25, 2019
Integrins β1 and β3 exhibit distinct dynamic nanoscale organizations inside focal adhesions
Olivier Rossier1, Vivien Octeau, Jean-Baptiste Sibarita
1Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, University of Bordeaux, UMR 5297, F-33000 Bordeaux, France.
Abstract:
Integrins in focal adhesions (FAs) mediate adhesion and force transmission to extracellular matrices essential for cell motility, proliferation and differentiation. Different fibronectin-binding integrins, simultaneously present in FAs, perform distinct functions. Yet, how integrin dynamics control biochemical and biomechanical processes in FAs is still elusive. Using single-protein tracking and super-resolution imaging we revealed the dynamic nano-organizations of integrins and talin inside FAs. Integrins reside in FAs through free-diffusion and immobilization cycles. Integrin activation promotes immobilization, stabilized in FAs by simultaneous connection to fibronectin and actin-binding proteins. Talin is recruited in FAs directly from the cytosol without membrane free-diffusion, restricting integrin immobilization to FAs. Immobilized β3-integrins are enriched and stationary within FAs, whereas immobilized β1-integrins are less enriched and exhibit rearward movements. Talin is enriched and mainly stationary, but also exhibited rearward movements in FAs, consistent with stable connections with both β-integrins. Thus, differential transmission of actin motion to fibronectin occurs through specific integrins within FAs.
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