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Mechanical Protein Functions

Mechanical Protein Functions

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.

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Updated: May 1, 2026

Investigating Single Molecule Adhesion by Atomic Force Spectroscopy

Investigating Single Molecule Adhesion by Atomic Force Spectroscopy

Published on: February 27, 2015

Quantifying the forces guiding microbial cell adhesion using single-cell force spectroscopy.

Audrey Beaussart¹, Sofiane El-Kirat-Chatel¹, Ruby May A Sullan¹

¹Université Catholique de Louvain, Institute of Life Sciences, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.

Nature Protocols

|April 12, 2014

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Single-cell force spectroscopy (SCFS) measures microbial adhesion forces. This atomic force microscopy (AFM) method quantifies interactions for medically important bacteria and yeast, advancing single-cell analysis.

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Last Updated: May 1, 2026

Investigating Single Molecule Adhesion by Atomic Force Spectroscopy

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Published on: February 27, 2015

Protrusion Force Microscopy: A Method to Quantify Forces Developed by Cell Protrusions

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Functionalization of Atomic Force Microscope Cantilevers with Single-T Cells or Single-Particle for Immunological Single-Cell Force Spectroscopy

Functionalization of Atomic Force Microscope Cantilevers with Single-T Cells or Single-Particle for Immunological Single-Cell Force Spectroscopy

Published on: July 10, 2019

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Biophysics
Surface Science

Background:

Traditional methods for studying microbial adhesion lack single-cell resolution.
Understanding microbial adhesion is crucial for medical and industrial applications.
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) offers potential for single-cell force measurements.

Purpose of the Study:

To present and validate single-cell force spectroscopy (SCFS) protocols.
To quantify adhesion forces of medically important microbes at the single-cell level.
To demonstrate the applicability of SCFS to diverse microbial species.

Main Methods:

Developed and optimized single-cell force spectroscopy (SCFS) protocols.
Utilized atomic force microscopy (AFM) with a single living cell immobilized on a cantilever.
Measured interaction forces between a cellular probe and solid substrates or other cells.

Main Results:

Successfully quantified single-cell adhesion forces for Lactobacillus plantarum.
Demonstrated the protocol's versatility by applying it to Staphylococcus epidermidis and Candida albicans.
Established SCFS as a viable technique for microbial adhesion force analysis.

Conclusions:

SCFS provides unprecedented single-cell resolution for microbial adhesion force measurements.
The developed protocols are robust and applicable to a range of medically relevant microbes.
This technique can be mastered within a week by trained microscopists, facilitating broader adoption.