Cell adhesion receptors in mechanotransduction

Integrins and cadherins are tri-functional: they bind ligands on other cells or in the extracellular matrix, connect to the cytoskeleton inside the cell, and regulate intracellular signaling pathways. These adhesion receptors therefore transmit mechanical stresses and are well positioned to mediate...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current opinion in cell biology 2008-10, Vol.20 (5), p.551-556
Main Authors: Schwartz, Martin A, DeSimone, Douglas W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cadherins - metabolism
Cell Adhesion - physiology
Cell Adhesion Molecules - metabolism
Cells, Cultured
Cytoskeleton - metabolism
Integrins - chemistry
Integrins - metabolism
Internal Medicine
Mechanotransduction, Cellular - physiology
Morphogenesis - physiology
Protein Conformation
Receptors, Cell Surface - metabolism
Stress, Mechanical
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Summary:Integrins and cadherins are tri-functional: they bind ligands on other cells or in the extracellular matrix, connect to the cytoskeleton inside the cell, and regulate intracellular signaling pathways. These adhesion receptors therefore transmit mechanical stresses and are well positioned to mediate mechanotransduction. Studies of cultured cells have shown that both integrin- and cadherin-mediated adhesion are intrinsically mechanosensitive. Strengthening of adhesions in response to mechanical stimulation may be a central mechanism for mechanotransduction. Studies of developing organisms suggest that these mechanisms contribute to tissue level responses to tension and compression, thereby linking morphogenetic movements to cell fate decisions.
ISSN:0955-0674
1879-0410
DOI:10.1016/j.ceb.2008.05.005