The inner life of integrin adhesion sites: From single molecules to functional macromolecular complexes

Cells are mechanical living machines that remodel their microenvironment by adhering and generating forces on the extracellular matrix (ECM) using integrin-dependent adhesion sites (IAS). In return, the biochemical and physical nature of the ECM determines cellular behavior and morphology during proliferation, differentiation and migration. IAS come in different shapes and forms. They have specific compositions, morphologies, mechanical and biochemical signaling activities, which serve different cellular functions. Proteomic studies showed that IAS are composed of a large repertoire of proteins that could be linked to different functional activities, including signaling, force-transmission and force-sensing. Thanks to recent technological advances in microscopy and protein engineering, it is now possible to localize single proteins in three dimensions inside IAS, determine their diffusive behaviors, orientations, and how much mechanical force is transmitted across individual components. Here, we review how researchers have used those tools to investigate how IAS components assemble and dynamically interact to produce diverse functions of adhesive structures.