Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026

Analyzing Cell Surface Adhesion Remodeling in Response to Mechanical Tension Using Magnetic Beads
Published on: March 8, 2017
Bidirectional coupling between integrin-mediated signaling and actomyosin mechanics explains matrix-dependent
Erik S Welf1, Heath E Johnson, Jason M Haugh
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695.
Abstract:
Animal cell migration is a complex process characterized by the coupling of adhesion, cytoskeletal, and signaling dynamics. Here we model local protrusion of the cell edge as a function of the load-bearing properties of integrin-based adhesions, actin polymerization fostered by adhesion-mediated signaling, and mechanosensitive activation of RhoA that promotes myosin II-generated stress on the lamellipodial F-actin network. Analysis of stochastic model simulations illustrates how these pleiotropic functions of nascent adhesions may be integrated to govern temporal persistence and frequency of protrusions. The simulations give mechanistic insight into the documented effects of extracellular matrix density and myosin abundance, and they show characteristic, nonnormal distributions of protrusion duration times that are similar to those extracted from live-cell imaging experiments. Analysis of the model further predicts relationships between measurable quantities that reflect the partitioning of stress between tension on F-actin-bound adhesions, which act as a molecular clutch, and dissipation by retrograde F-actin flow.
Related Concept Videos
Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate....
Activation of Integrins
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...
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...
Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
Cell Motility through Blebbing
Blebbing Through the Matrix
In multicellular...

