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DNA-based ForceChrono probes for deciphering single-molecule force dynamics in living cells
Yuru Hu1, Hongyun Li1, Chen Zhang1
1The Institute for Advanced Studies, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430072, China.
Cell
|June 5, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed the DNA-based ForceChrono probe to measure cellular forces. This tool reveals how mechanical forces, like those on integrins, change over time in living cells, advancing mechanobiology.
Area of Science:
- Mechanobiology
- Cellular Biophysics
- Molecular Mechanotransduction
Background:
- Cellular force transmission is vital for understanding cell behavior and function.
- Existing methods like in vitro single-molecule force spectroscopy have limitations in dynamic cellular environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel tool for measuring mechanical forces at the single-molecule level within living cells.
- To quantify force magnitude, duration, and loading rates in real-time cellular processes.
- To investigate the role of mechanical forces in cellular mechanotransduction.
Main Methods:
- Development of a DNA-based probe named ForceChrono.
- In situ single-molecule force measurements within living cells.
- Monitoring dynamic changes in cellular forces during morphological transformations.
Main Results:
- Integrin force loading rates were measured to be 0.5-2 pN/s.
- Force durations varied from tens of seconds in nascent adhesions to approximately 100 seconds in mature focal adhesions.
- The ForceChrono probe demonstrated robust and reversible performance for continuous monitoring.
Conclusions:
- The ForceChrono probe enables direct, dynamic measurements of cellular forces, overcoming limitations of in vitro techniques.
- Findings provide detailed insights into the dynamics of mechanical forces in cellular adhesions.
- The probe serves as a valuable tool for dissecting protein functions in mechanotransduction pathways.
