Photo-ECM: A Blue Light Photoswitchable Synthetic Extracellular Matrix Protein for Reversible Control over
Julia Ricken1,2,3, Rebecca Medda2,3, Seraphine V Wegner1
1Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
Abstract:
The dynamic and spatiotemporal control of integrin-mediated cell adhesion to RGD motifs in its extracellular matrix (ECM) is important for understating cell biology and biomedical applications because cell adhesion fundamentally regulates cellular behavior. Herein, the first photoswitchable synthetic ECM protein, Photo-ECM, based on the blue light switchable protein LOV2 is engineered. The Photo-ECM protein includes a RGD sequence, which is hidden in the folded LOV2 protein structure in the dark and is exposed under blue light so that integrins can bind and cells can adhere. The switchable presentation of the RGD motif allows to reversibly mediate and modulate integrin-based cell adhesions using noninvasive blue light. With this protein cell adhesions in live cells could be reversed and the dynamics at the cellular level is observed. Hence, the Photo-ECM opens a new possibility to investigate the spatiotemporal regulation of cell adhesions in cell biology and is the first step toward a genetically encoded and light-responsive ECM.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
The Extracellular Matrix
In order to maintain tissue organization, many animal cells are surrounded by structural molecules that make up the extracellular matrix (ECM). Together, the molecules in the ECM maintain the structural integrity of tissue as well as the remarkable specific properties of certain tissues.
Composition of the Extracellular Matrix
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is commonly composed of ground substance, a gel-like fluid, fibrous components, and many structurally and functionally diverse...
The Extracellular Matrix
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...
Extracellular Matrix


