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Updated: May 14, 2026

Tension Gauge Tether Probes for Quantifying Growth Factor Mediated Integrin Mechanics and Adhesion
Published on: February 11, 2022
Direct tensile force activates Adgrl3 in a tethered agonist-dependent manner
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Adhesion G protein-coupled receptors are proposed to function as mechanosensors, yet whether controlled mechanical force can directly activate receptor signaling in living cells remains unclear. Using optical tweezers, we demonstrate that direct tensile force applied to the N-terminus of the adhesion GPCR Adgrl3 is sufficient to induce G protein recruitment in living cells. Activation is direction-specific, requires a functional tethered agonist, and aligns with coexisting force-driven GAIN-domain conformational changes and dissociation.
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