Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2025

Measurement of Force-Sensitive Protein Dynamics in Living Cells Using a Combination of Fluorescent Techniques
Published on: November 2, 2018
Two Transient Receptor Potential Channels at Focal Adhesions
Ioli Mitsou1,2, Cathrine Rein Carlson3, Hinke A B Multhaupt1
1Biotech Research & Innovation Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract:
Recently there have been reports that identify two transient receptor potential channels in cell-matrix junctions known as focal adhesions. These are the calcium channel TRP canonical 7 and the calcium-activated monovalent ion channel, TRP melastatin (TRPM) 4. Here, we report on the occurrence of TRPM4 in focal adhesions of fibroblasts. Of three commercial antibodies recognizing this channel, only one yielded focal adhesion staining, while the other two did not. The epitope recognized by the focal adhesion-localizing antibody was mapped to the extreme C-terminus of the TRPM4 protein. The other two antibodies bind to N-terminal regions of the TRPM4 proteins. Deletion of the TRPM4 gene by CRISPR/cas9 techniques confirmed that this channel is a bona fide focal adhesion component, while expression of full-length TRPM4 proteins suggested that processing may occur to yield a form that localizes to focal adhesions. Given the reports that this channel may influence migratory behavior of cells and is linked to cardiovascular disease, TRPM4 functions in adhesion should be explored in greater depth. (J Histochem Cytochem 71: 495-508, 2023).
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...
Tension Response at Adherens Junctions
α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
The α-catenin of adherens junctions is an allosteric protein with three VH (vinculin...
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
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...
Anchoring Junctions
Integrins
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...

