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Updated: Jul 21, 2026

Live Cell Response to Mechanical Stimulation Studied by Integrated Optical and Atomic Force Microscopy
Published on: October 5, 2010
Organization and function of structural elements in focal contacts of tissue culture cells
Abstract:
The role of structural elements in the organization and maintenance of focal contacts was studied by microinjecting into tissue culture cells specific probes which interfere with filamentous actin or with vinculin: actin interaction. Injection of actin capping proteins from Physarum and brain resulted in breakdown of microfilament bundles starting at their distal ends and in loss of focal contacts. This process was fully reversible. Injection of a high affinity antibody against chicken gizzard vinculin led to partial breakdown of microfilament bundles con-concomitant with disruption of focal contacts with vinculin remaining at the plasma membrane. This process was irreversible.
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