Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Cell Signaling01:23

Overview of Cell Signaling

21.6K
Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate with the environment.
Cells respond to many types of information, often through receptor proteins positioned on the membrane. For example, skin cells respond to and transmit touch...
21.6K
What is Cell Signaling?02:03

What is Cell Signaling?

121.2K
Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate to respond to the environment.
121.2K
Diversity in Cell Signaling Responses01:22

Diversity in Cell Signaling Responses

6.8K
The physiological function of a cell and cellular communication are outcomes of a range of extrinsic signals, intracellular signaling pathways, and cellular responses. No two cell types express the same repertoire of signaling components. Receptors are highly selective for their cognate ligands, but once activated, they can alter multiple cellular processes such as DNA transcription, protein synthesis, and metabolic activity. 
Graded and Abrupt Responses
Some signaling systems generate...
6.8K
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

2.8K
In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue. 
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
2.8K
Cellular Differentiation00:57

Cellular Differentiation

3.9K
How does a complex organism such as a human develop from a single cell? It all starts from a single fertilized egg which gives rise to a vast array of cell types, such as nerve cells, muscle cells, and epithelial cells that characterize the adult? Throughout development and adulthood, cellular differentiation leads cells to assume their final morphology and physiology. Differentiation is the process by which unspecialized cells become specialized to carry out distinct functions.
A zygote is a...
3.9K
Cell Signaling Feedback Loops01:07

Cell Signaling Feedback Loops

6.6K
Positive and negative feedback loops are crucial for regulating biological signaling systems. These feedback loops are processes that connect output signals to their inputs.
Negative feedback loops
Most signaling systems have negative feedback loops that can perform different functions such as output limiter, and adaptation.
Output limiter
Upon receiving an input signal, the cellular response rapidly increases until a threshold is reached. Beyond this threshold, a negative feedback loop...
6.6K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The force, form and function of the nucleus.

Journal of cell science·2026
Same author

Integration of nuclear mechanosensing with integrin-extracellular matrix adhesions.

Nucleus (Austin, Tex.)·2026
Same author

Loss of <i>Sun2</i> ablates nuclear mechanosensing-driven extracellular matrix production and mitigates lung fibrosis.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Morphomechanic tuning of ERK by actin-TFII-IΔ regulates cell identity.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Loss of JAK1 Function Causes G2-M Cell-Cycle Defects Vulnerable to KIF18A Inhibition.

Cancer research·2026
Same author

Reprogramming Stars #26: Understanding the Reprogramming Privilege-An Interview with Dr. Shangqin Guo.

Cellular reprogramming·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 29, 2025

Integrative Toolkit to Analyze Cellular Signals: Forces, Motion, Morphology, and Fluorescence
14:55

Integrative Toolkit to Analyze Cellular Signals: Forces, Motion, Morphology, and Fluorescence

Published on: March 5, 2022

4.1K

Integrating mechanical signals into cellular identity.

Emma Carley1, Megan C King2, Shangqin Guo3

  • 1Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.

Trends in Cell Biology
|March 26, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cellular identity is determined by more than just genes; mechanical forces also play a crucial role. The cytoskeleton, particularly the actomyosin-LINC complex, integrates these mechanical signals with biochemical cues to influence cell behavior and nuclear responses.

Keywords:
LINC complexactomyosin cytoskeletoncell identitychromatinmechanotransductionreprogramming

More Related Videos

An Optimized O9-1/Hydrogel System for Studying Mechanical Signals in Neural Crest Cells
11:02

An Optimized O9-1/Hydrogel System for Studying Mechanical Signals in Neural Crest Cells

Published on: August 13, 2021

3.1K
A Microfluidics Approach for the Functional Investigation of Signaling Oscillations Governing Somitogenesis
08:06

A Microfluidics Approach for the Functional Investigation of Signaling Oscillations Governing Somitogenesis

Published on: March 19, 2021

2.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 29, 2025

Integrative Toolkit to Analyze Cellular Signals: Forces, Motion, Morphology, and Fluorescence
14:55

Integrative Toolkit to Analyze Cellular Signals: Forces, Motion, Morphology, and Fluorescence

Published on: March 5, 2022

4.1K
An Optimized O9-1/Hydrogel System for Studying Mechanical Signals in Neural Crest Cells
11:02

An Optimized O9-1/Hydrogel System for Studying Mechanical Signals in Neural Crest Cells

Published on: August 13, 2021

3.1K
A Microfluidics Approach for the Functional Investigation of Signaling Oscillations Governing Somitogenesis
08:06

A Microfluidics Approach for the Functional Investigation of Signaling Oscillations Governing Somitogenesis

Published on: March 19, 2021

2.9K

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Mechanobiology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Cellular identity in multicellular organisms is traditionally linked to gene expression, dictating cell morphology, structure, and function.
  • Emerging evidence highlights the significant impact of a cell's mechanical state on its identity, affecting both stem cells and differentiated cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the mechanisms by which mechanical forces influence cellular programs and identity.
  • To elucidate the role of the cytoskeleton in integrating mechanical and biochemical signals within the cell.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on cell mechanics and nuclear-cytoskeletal interactions.
  • Focus on the actomyosin-LINC complex axis as a key mediator.

Main Results:

  • The cytoskeleton actively participates in cellular responses to mechanical stimuli.
  • The actomyosin-LINC complex is a critical pathway for integrating mechanical and biochemical information.

Conclusions:

  • Mechanical forces are integral to defining and maintaining cell identity, complementing genetic programming.
  • Understanding cytoskeletal regulation of nuclear responses to mechanical cues is crucial for future research in cell biology and regenerative medicine.