Hydrogel-based molecular tension fluorescence microscopy for investigating receptor-mediated rigidity sensing

Extracellular matrix (ECM) rigidity serves as a crucial mechanical cue impacting diverse biological processes. However, understanding the molecular mechanisms of rigidity sensing has been limited by the spatial resolution and force sensitivity of current cellular force measurement techniques. Here we developed a method to functionalize DNA tension probes on soft hydrogel surfaces in a controllable and reliable manner, enabling molecular tension fluorescence microscopy for rigidity sensing studies. Our findings showed that fibroblasts respond to substrate rigidity by recruiting more force-bearing integrins and modulating integrin sampling frequency of the ECM, rather than simply overloading the existing integrin-ligand bonds, to promote focal adhesion maturation. We also demonstrated that ECM rigidity positively regulates the pN force of T cell receptor-ligand bond and T cell receptor mechanical sampling frequency, promoting T cell activation. Thus, hydrogel-based molecular tension fluorescence microscopy implemented on a standard confocal microscope provides a simple and effective means to explore detailed molecular force information for rigidity-dependent biological processes.

Transfer of HTLV-1 p8 and Gag to target T-cells depends on VASP, a novel interaction partner of p8

The Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) orf I-encoded accessory protein p8 is cleaved from its precursor p12, and both proteins contribute to viral persistence. p8 induces cellular protrusions, which are thought to facilitate transfer of p8 to target cells and virus transmission. Host factors interacting with p8 and mediating p8 transfer are unknown. Here, we report that vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), which promotes actin filament elongation, is a novel interaction partner of p8 and important for p8 and HTLV-1 Gag cell-to-cell transfer. VASP contains an Ena/VASP homology 1 (EVH1) domain that targets the protein to focal adhesions. Bioinformatics identified a short stretch in p8 (amino acids (aa) 24–45) which may mediate interactions with the EVH1 domain of VASP. Co-immunoprecipitations confirmed interactions of VASP:p8 in 293T, Jurkat and HTLV-1-infected MT-2 cells. Co-precipitation of VASP:p8 could be significantly blocked by peptides mimicking aa 26–37 of p8. Mutational studies revealed that the EVH1-domain of VASP is necessary, but not sufficient for the interaction with p8. Further, deletion of the VASP G- and F-actin binding domains significantly diminished co-precipitation of p8. Imaging identified areas of partial co-localization of VASP with p8 at the plasma membrane and in protrusive structures, which was confirmed by proximity ligation assays. Co-culture experiments revealed that p8 is transferred between Jurkat T-cells via VASP-containing conduits. Imaging and flow cytometry revealed that repression of both endogenous and overexpressed VASP by RNA interference or by CRISPR/Cas9 reduced p8 transfer to the cell surface and to target Jurkat T-cells. Stable repression of VASP by RNA interference in chronically infected MT-2 cells impaired both p8 and HTLV-1 Gag transfer to target Jurkat T-cells, while virus release was unaffected. Thus, we identified VASP as a novel interaction partner of p8, which is important for transfer of HTLV-1 p8 and Gag to target T-cells.

The delta-retrovirus Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 encodes the accessory protein p8, which is generated by proteolytic cleavage from p12. Earlier work has shown that p8 enhances the formation of cellular conduits between T-cells, is transferred through these conduits to target T-cells and increases HTLV-1 transmission. It was suggested that p8 dampens T-cell responses in target T-cells, thus facilitating HTLV-1 infection. Our work sheds light on the mechanism of p8 transfer to target T-cells. We show that vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), a novel interaction partner of p8, contributes to transfer of p8 to target T-cells. Mechanistically, VASP is crucial for recruitment of p8 to the cell surface. Since VASP is known to promote elongation of actin filaments by preventing them from capping, interactions of p8 with VASP are an elegant strategy to exploit the host cell machinery for being transported to the cell surface, and as a consequence, to other cells. Given that VASP is also important for cell-to-cell transfer of the HTLV-1 Gag protein, our work proposes that VASP is a new cellular target to counteract HTLV-1 cell-to-cell transmission.

Force-Dependent Regulation of Talin-KANK1 Complex at Focal Adhesions

KANK proteins mediate cross-talk between dynamic microtubules and integrin-based adhesions to the extracellular matrix. KANKs interact with the integrin/actin-binding protein talin and with several components of microtubule-stabilizing cortical complexes. Because of actomyosin contractility, the talin-KANK complex is likely under mechanical force, and its mechanical stability is expected to be a critical determinant of KANK recruitment to focal adhesions. Here, we quantified the lifetime of the complex of the talin rod domain R7 and the KN domain of KANK1 under shear-force geometry and found that it can withstand forces for seconds to minutes over a physiological force range up to 10 pN. Complex stability measurements combined with cell biological experiments suggest that shear-force stretching promotes KANK1 localization to the periphery of focal adhesions. These results indicate that the talin-KANK1 complex is mechanically strong, enabling it to support the cross-talk between microtubule and actin cytoskeleton at focal adhesions.

Biomaterial substrate modifications that influence cell-material interactions to prime cellular responses to nonviral gene delivery

IMPACT STATEMENT

This review summarizes how biomaterial substrate modifications (e.g. chemical modifications like natural coatings, ligands, or functional side groups, and/or physical modifications such as topography or stiffness) can prime the cellular response to nonviral gene delivery (e.g. affecting integrin binding and focal adhesion formation, cytoskeletal remodeling, endocytic mechanisms, and intracellular trafficking), to aid in improving gene delivery for applications where a cell-material interface might exist (e.g. tissue engineering scaffolds, medical implants and devices, sensors and diagnostics, wound dressings).

Computational and experimental analysis of bioactive peptide linear motifs in the integrin adhesome

Therapeutic modulation of protein interactions is challenging, but short linear motifs (SLiMs) represent potential targets. Focal adhesions play a central role in adhesion by linking cells to the extracellular matrix. Integrins are central to this process, and many other intracellular proteins are components of the integrin adhesome. We applied a peptide network targeting approach to explore the intracellular modulation of integrin function in platelets. Firstly, we computed a platelet-relevant integrin adhesome, inferred via homology of known platelet proteins to adhesome components. We then computationally selected peptides from the set of platelet integrin adhesome cytoplasmic and membrane adjacent protein-protein interfaces. Motifs of interest in the intracellular component of the platelet integrin adhesome were identified using a predictor of SLiMs based on analysis of protein primary amino acid sequences (SLiMPred), a predictor of strongly conserved motifs within disordered protein regions (SLiMPrints), and information from the literature regarding protein interactions in the complex. We then synthesized peptides incorporating these motifs combined with cell penetrating factors (tat peptide and palmitylation for cytoplasmic and membrane proteins respectively). We tested for the platelet activating effects of the peptides, as well as their abilities to inhibit activation. Bioactivity testing revealed a number of peptides that modulated platelet function, including those derived from α-actinin (ACTN1) and syndecan (SDC4), binding to vinculin and syntenin respectively. Both chimeric peptide experiments and peptide combination experiments failed to identify strong effects, perhaps characterizing the adhesome as relatively robust against within-adhesome synergistic perturbation. We investigated in more detail peptides targeting vinculin. Combined experimental and computational evidence suggested a model in which the positively charged tat-derived cell penetrating part of the peptide contributes to bioactivity via stabilizing charge interactions with a region of the ACTN1 negatively charged surface. We conclude that some interactions in the integrin adhesome appear to be capable of modulation by short peptides, and may aid in the identification and characterization of target sites within the complex that may be useful for therapeutic modulation.

Mechanism of Focal Adhesion Kinase Mechanosensing

Mechanosensing at focal adhesions regulates vital cellular processes. Here, we present results from molecular dynamics (MD) and mechano-biochemical network simulations that suggest a direct role of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) as a mechano-sensor. Tensile forces, propagating from the membrane through the PIP₂ binding site of the FERM domain and from the cytoskeleton-anchored FAT domain, activate FAK by unlocking its central phosphorylation site (Tyr576/577) from the autoinhibitory FERM domain. Varying loading rates, pulling directions, and membrane PIP₂ concentrations corroborate the specific opening of the FERM-kinase domain interface, due to its remarkably lower mechanical stability compared to the individual alpha-helical domains and the PIP₂-FERM link. Analyzing downstream signaling networks provides further evidence for an intrinsic mechano-signaling role of FAK in broadcasting force signals through Ras to the nucleus. This distinguishes FAK from hitherto identified focal adhesion mechano-responsive molecules, allowing a new interpretation of cell stretching experiments.

Focal adhesions integrate external mechanical signals into biochemical circuits allowing cellular mechanosensing. Although the zoo of mechanosensing proteins at focal adhesions is steadily growing, force-induced enzymatic mechanisms, as those uncovered for autoinhibited kinases in muscle, remain to be identified for focal adhesion downstream signaling. Here, we provide evidence that focal adhesion kinase (FAK) can act as a direct mechano-enzyme at focal adhesions, using molecular dynamics simulations and kinetic modelling. We show that anchorage of FAK to the membrane via PIP-2 is critical for this mechanical activation. Our results suggest similar mechanisms to be at play for other membrane-bound autoinhibited kinases.

Nanoimaging of focal adhesion dynamics in 3D

Organization and dynamics of focal adhesion proteins have been well characterized in cells grown on two-dimensional (2D) cell culture surfaces. However, much less is known about the dynamic association of these proteins in the 3D microenvironment. Limited imaging technologies capable of measuring protein interactions in real time and space for cells grown in 3D is a major impediment in understanding how proteins function under different environmental cues. In this study, we applied the nano-scale precise imaging by rapid beam oscillation (nSPIRO) technique and combined the scaning-fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (sFCS) and the number and molecular brightness (N&B) methods to investigate paxillin and actin dynamics at focal adhesions in 3D. Both MDA-MB-231 cells and U2OS cells produce elongated protrusions with high intensity regions of paxillin in cell grown in 3D collagen matrices. Using sFCS we found higher percentage of slow diffusing proteins at these focal spots, suggesting assembling/disassembling processes. In addition, the N&B analysis shows paxillin aggregated predominantly at these focal contacts which are next to collagen fibers. At those sites, actin showed slower apparent diffusion rate, which indicated that actin is either polymerizing or binding to the scaffolds in these locals. Our findings demonstrate that by multiplexing these techniques we have the ability to spatially and temporally quantify focal adhesion assembly and disassembly in 3D space and allow the understanding tumor cell invasion in a more complex relevant environment.

Nanotopographic substrates of poly (methyl methacrylate) do not strongly influence the osteogenic phenotype of mesenchymal stem cells in vitro

The chemical, mechanical, and topographical features of the extracellular matrix (ECM) have all been documented to influence cell adhesion, gene expression, migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Topography plays a key role in the architecture and functionality of various tissues in vivo, thus raising the possibility that topographic cues can be instructive when incorporated into biomaterials for regenerative applications. In the literature, there are discrepancies regarding the potential roles of nanotopography to enhance the osteogenic phenotype of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). In this study, we used thin film substrates of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with nanoscale gratings to investigate the influence of nanotopography on the osteogenic phenotype of MSCs, focusing in particular on their ability to produce mineral similar to native bone. Topography influenced focal adhesion size and MSC alignment, and enhanced MSC proliferation after 14 days of culture. However, the osteogenic phenotype was minimally influenced by surface topography. Specifically, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression was not increased on nanotopographic films, nor was calcium deposition improved after 21 days in culture. Ca: P ratios were similar to native mouse bone on films with gratings of 415 nm width and 200 nm depth (G415) and 303 nm width and 190 nm depth (G303). Notably, all surfaces had Ca∶P ratios significantly lower than G415 films. Collectively, these data suggest that, PMMA films with nanogratings are poor drivers of an osteogenic phenotype.

Molecular tension sensors report forces generated by single integrin molecules in living cells

Living cells are exquisitely responsive to mechanical cues, yet how cells produce and detect mechanical force remains poorly understood due to a lack of methods that visualize cell-generated forces at the molecular scale. Here we describe Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based molecular tension sensors that allow us to directly visualize cell-generated forces with single-molecule sensitivity. We apply these sensors to determine the distribution of forces generated by individual integrins, a class of cell adhesion molecules with prominent roles throughout cell and developmental biology. We observe strikingly complex distributions of tensions within individual focal adhesions. FRET values measured for single probe molecules suggest that relatively modest tensions at the molecular level are sufficient to drive robust cellular adhesion.

A mechanochemical model of cell reorientation on substrates under cyclic stretch

We report a theoretical study on the cyclic stretch-induced reorientation of spindle-shaped cells. Specifically, by taking into account the evolution of sub-cellular structures like the contractile stress fibers and adhesive receptor-ligand clusters, we develop a mechanochemical model to describe the dynamics of cell realignment in response to cyclically stretched substrates. Our main hypothesis is that cells tend to orient in the direction where the formation of stress fibers is energetically most favorable. We show that, when subjected to cyclic stretch, the final alignment of cells reflects the competition between the elevated force within stress fibers that accelerates their disassembly and the disruption of cell-substrate adhesion as well, and an effectively increased substrate rigidity that promotes more stable focal adhesions. Our model predictions are consistent with various observations like the substrate rigidity dependent formation of stable adhesions and the stretching frequency, as well as stretching amplitude, dependence of cell realignment. This theory also provides a simple explanation on the regulation of protein Rho in the formation of stretch-induced stress fibers in cells.

Localization-based super-resolution imaging of cellular structures

Fluorescence microscopy allows direct visualization of fluorescently tagged proteins within cells. However, the spatial resolution of conventional fluorescence microscopes is limited by diffraction to ~250 nm, prompting the development of super-resolution microscopy which offers resolution approaching the scale of single proteins, i.e., ~20 nm. Here, we describe protocols for single molecule localization-based super-resolution imaging, using focal adhesion proteins as an example and employing either photoswitchable fluorophores or photoactivatable fluorescent proteins. These protocols should also be easily adaptable to imaging a broad array of macromolecular assemblies in cells whose components can be fluorescently tagged and assemble into high density structures.

Breaking away: matrix remodeling from the leading edge

Substantial progress has been made in recent years toward understanding the molecular mechanisms by which tumor cells, and the supporting stroma, degrade confining matrix during migration. Significant attention has been focused on understanding the biology of several dynamic and distinct, but remarkably related, cell structures that include lamellipodia, focal adhesions (FAs), filopodia, podosomes, and invadopodia. How these invasive organelles assemble and function is a topic of intense study. Most exciting has been the recent progress made by combining advanced microscope technologies with a wide variety of different 3D matrices, tissue explants, or even living model organisms. From these approaches, it has become increasingly evident that the conventional definitions of these invasive structures may be less clear than was previously thought.

Exploring the formation of focal adhesions on patterned surfaces using super-resolution imaging

The formation of focal adhesions on various sizes of fibronectin patterns, ranging from 200 μm to 250 nm, was systematically investigated by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and super-resolution imaging. It was found that cells adhered to and spread on these micro/nanopatterns, forming focal adhesions. On a micrometer scale the shape of the focal adhesions was elongated. However, on the nanometer scale, the shape of focal adhesions became dotlike. To further explore the distribution of focal adhesion proteins formed on surfaces, a localization-based super-resolution imaging technique was employed in order to determine the position and density of vinculin proteins. A characteristic distance of 50 nm was found between vinculin molecules in the focal adhesions, which did not depend on the size of the fibronectin nanopatterns. This distance was found to be crucial for the formation of focal adhesions. In addition, the density of vinculin at the focal adhesions formed on the nanopatterns increased as the pattern size decreased. The density of the protein was found to be 425 ± 247, 584 ± 302, and 703 ± 305 proteins μm(-2) on the 600, 400, and 250 nm fibronectin patterns respectively. Whereas 226 ± 77 proteins μm(-2) was measured for the matured focal adhesions on homogeneous fibronectin coated substrates. The increase in vinculin density implies that an increase in mechanical load was applied to the focal adhesions formed on the smaller nanopatterns.

Analysis of the myosin-II-responsive focal adhesion proteome reveals a role for β-Pix in negative regulation of focal adhesion maturation

Focal adhesions undergo myosin-II-mediated maturation wherein they grow and change composition to modulate integrin signalling for cell migration, growth and differentiation. To determine how focal adhesion composition is affected by myosin II activity, we performed proteomic analysis of isolated focal adhesions and compared protein abundance in focal adhesions from cells with and without myosin II inhibition. We identified 905 focal adhesion proteins, 459 of which changed in abundance with myosin II inhibition, defining the myosin-II-responsive focal adhesion proteome. The abundance of 73% of the proteins in the myosin-II-responsive focal adhesion proteome was enhanced by contractility, including proteins involved in Rho-mediated focal adhesion maturation and endocytosis- and calpain-dependent focal adhesion disassembly. During myosin II inhibition, 27% of proteins in the myosin-II-responsive focal adhesion proteome, including proteins involved in Rac-mediated lamellipodial protrusion, were enriched in focal adhesions, establishing that focal adhesion protein recruitment is also negatively regulated by contractility. We focused on the Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factor β-Pix, documenting its role in the negative regulation of focal adhesion maturation and the promotion of lamellipodial protrusion and focal adhesion turnover to drive cell migration.

Self-organization of muscle cell structure and function

The organization of muscle is the product of functional adaptation over several length scales spanning from the sarcomere to the muscle bundle. One possible strategy for solving this multiscale coupling problem is to physically constrain the muscle cells in microenvironments that potentiate the organization of their intracellular space. We hypothesized that boundary conditions in the extracellular space potentiate the organization of cytoskeletal scaffolds for directed sarcomeregenesis. We developed a quantitative model of how the cytoskeleton of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes organizes with respect to geometric cues in the extracellular matrix. Numerical results and in vitro assays to control myocyte shape indicated that distinct cytoskeletal architectures arise from two temporally-ordered, organizational processes: the interaction between actin fibers, premyofibrils and focal adhesions, as well as cooperative alignment and parallel bundling of nascent myofibrils. Our results suggest that a hierarchy of mechanisms regulate the self-organization of the contractile cytoskeleton and that a positive feedback loop is responsible for initiating the break in symmetry, potentiated by extracellular boundary conditions, is required to polarize the contractile cytoskeleton.

How muscle is organized impacts its function. However, understanding how muscle organizes is challenging, as the process occurs over several length scales. We approach this multiscale coupling problem by constraining the overall shapes of muscle cells to indirectly control the organization of their intracellular space. We hypothesized the cellular boundary conditions direct the organization of cytoskeletal scaffolds. We developed a model of how the cytoskeleton of cardiomyocytes organizes with respect to boundary cues. Our computational and experimental results to control myocyte shape indicated that distinct muscle architectures arise from two main organizational mechanisms: the interaction between actin fibers, premyofibrils and focal adhesions, as well as cooperative alignment and parallel bundling of more mature myofibrils. We show that a hierarchy of processes regulate the self-organization of cardiomyocytes. Our results suggest that a symmetry break, due to the boundary conditions imposed on the cell, is responsible for polarization of the contractile cytoskeletal organization.

A microfluidic system with optical laser tweezers to study mechanotransduction and focal adhesion recruitment

We present a new method to locally apply mechanical tensile and compressive force on single cells based on integration of a microfluidic device with an optical laser tweezers. This system can locate a single cell within customized wells exposing a square-like membrane segment to a functionalized bead. Beads are coated with extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins of interest (e.g. fibronectin) to activate specific membrane receptors (e.g. integrins). The functionalized beads are trapped and manipulated by optical tweezers to apply mechanical load on the ECM-integrin-cytoskeleton linkage. Activation of the receptor is visualized by accumulation of expressed fluorescent proteins. This platform facilitates isolation of single cells and excitation by tensile/compressive forces applied directly to the focal adhesion via specific membrane receptors. Protein assembly or recruitment in a focal adhesion can then be monitored and identified using fluorescent imaging. This platform is used to study the recruitment of vinculin upon the application of external tensile force to single endothelial cells. Vinculin appears to be recruited above the forced bead as an elliptical cloud, centered 2.1 ± 0.5 μm from the 2 μm bead center. The mechanical stiffness of the membrane patch inferred from this measurement is 42.9 ± 6.4 pN μm(-1) for a 5 μm × 5 μm membrane segment. This method provides a foundation for further studies of mechanotransduction and tensile stiffness of single cells.

Force-induced destabilization of focal adhesions at defined integrin spacings on nanostructured surfaces

Focal adhesions are the anchoring points of cells to surfaces and are responsible for a large number of surface sensing processes. Nanopatterning studies have shown physiological changes in fibroblasts as a result of decreasing density of external binding ligands. The most striking of these changes is a decreased ability to form mature focal adhesions when lateral ligand distances exceed 76 nm. These changes are usually examined in the context of protein signaling and protein interactions. We show a physical explanation based on the balance between the forces acting on individual ligand connections and the reaction kinetics of those ligands. We propose three stability regimes for focal adhesions as a function of ligand spacing and applied stress: a stable regime, an unstable regime in which a large fraction of unbound protein causes adhesion disintegration, and a regime in which the applied force is too high to form an adhesion structure.

Contribution of the LIM domain and nebulin-repeats to the interaction of Lasp-2 with actin filaments and focal adhesions

Lasp-2 binds to actin filaments and concentrates in the actin bundles of filopodia and lamellipodia in neural cells and focal adhesions in fibroblastic cells. Lasp-2 has three structural regions: a LIM domain, a nebulin-repeat region, and an SH3 domain; however, the region(s) responsible for its interactions with actin filaments and focal adhesions are still unclear. In this study, we revealed that the N-terminal fragment from the LIM domain to the first nebulin-repeat module (LIM-n1) retained actin-binding activity and showed a similar subcellular localization to full-length lasp-2 in neural cells. The LIM domain fragment did not interact with actin filaments or localize to actin filament bundles. In contrast, LIM-n1 showed a clear subcellular localization to filopodial actin bundles. Although truncation of the LIM domain caused the loss of F-actin binding activity and the accumulation of filopodial actin bundles, these truncated fragments localized to focal adhesions. These results suggest that lasp-2 interactions with actin filaments are mediated through the cooperation of the LIM domain and the first nebulin-repeat module in vitro and in vivo. Actin filament binding activity may be a major contributor to the subcellular localization of lasp-2 to filopodia but is not crucial for lasp-2 recruitment to focal adhesions.

Biological activity of the substrate-induced fibronectin network: insight into the third dimension through electrospun fibers

Fibronectin (FN) fibrillogenesis is a cell-mediated process involving integrin activation that results in conformational changes of FN molecules and the organization of actin cytoskeleton. A similar process can be induced by some chemistries in the absence of cells, e.g., poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA), which enhance FN-FN interactions leading to the formation of a biologically active network. Atomic force microscopy images of single FN molecules, at the early stages of adsorption on plane PEA, allow one to rationalize the process. Further, the role of the spatial organization of the FN network on the cellular response is investigated through its adsorption on electrospun fibers. Randomly oriented and aligned PEA fibers were prepared to mimic the three-dimensional organization of the extracellular matrix. The formation of the FN network on the PEA fibers but not on the supporting coverglass was confirmed. Fibroblasts aligned with oriented fibers, displayed extended morphology, developed linearly organized focal adhesion complexes, and matured actin filaments. Conversely, on random PEA fibers, cells acquired polygonal morphology with altered actin cytoskeleton but well-developed focal adhesions. Late FN matrix formation was also influenced: spatially organized FN matrix fibrils along the oriented PEA fibers and an altered arrangement on random ones.

Cellular Alterations in Cultured Endothelial Cells Exposed to Therapeutic Ultrasound Irradiation

Restoration of blood supply to tissue with impaired perfusion depends on spontaneous or mediated angiogenesis, which among other mechanisms includes stimulation, migration, and proliferation of endothelial cells (ECs). Therapeutic ultrasound (US) irradiation is known as an inducer of cellular modifications and is used to accelerate wound healing. An in vitro setup was developed in order to allow for a comprehensive investigation of cellular alterations induced in cultured ECs after exposure to different modes of therapeutic US irradiation. Viability assays revealed a higher rate of proliferation in the sonicated groups, although cell death was not observed. Visualization of actin stress fibers demonstrated partial disassembly of the fibers immediately after US sonication, with a maximum after about 2 h. However, 24 h following sonication the fibers regain normal appearance. A similar behavior was observed with the microtubules and focal adhesion complexes. Utilizing a wound healing assay revealed that migration rate of ECs is enhanced by US irradiation. These findings hint that therapeutic US sonication of ECs results in temporarily cellular alterations, which may induce tissue remodeling via stimulation of EC proliferation and migration.

How focal adhesion size depends on integrin affinity

Understanding how the thermodynamics and kinetics of integrin receptor binding and clustering impact the formation of focal adhesions is important for understanding the mechanisms cells use to sense and respond to physical cues in their environment. Cells on chemically well-defined surfaces were observed to have distributions of focal adhesions shifted toward smaller sizes when presented with higher affinity ligands (Kato, M.; Mrksich, M. Biochemistry 2004, 43, 2699). In this paper, we account for this trend with a simple model in which integrins are treated as particles on a lattice, and their stochastic dynamics are simulated with a kinetic Monte Carlo algorithm. How the trend depends on force-coupled growth, membrane fluctuations, and heterogeneity of receptor-ligand interactions is analyzed. Predictions are made for substrates in which the ligands presented can vary in either space or time, so that the model can be validated experimentally.

Nucleation of membrane adhesions

Recent experimental and theoretical studies of biomimetic membrane adhesions [Bruinsma, Phys. Rev. E 61, 4253 (2000); Boulbitch, Biophys. J. 81, 2743 (2001)] suggested that adhesion mediated by receptor interactions is due to the interplay between membrane undulations and a double-well adhesion potential, and should be a first-order transition. We study the nucleation of membrane adhesion by finding the minimum-energy path on the free energy surface constructed from the bending free energy of the membrane and the double-well adhesion potential. We find a nucleation free energy barrier around 20k(B)T for adhesion of flexible membranes, which corresponds to fast nucleation kinetics with a time scale of the order of seconds. For cell membranes with a larger bending rigidity due to the actin network, the nucleation barrier is higher and may require active processes such as the reorganization of the cortex network to overcome this barrier. Our scaling analysis suggests that the geometry of the membrane shapes of the adhesion contact is controlled by the adhesion length that is determined by the membrane rigidity, the barrier height, and the length scale of the double-well potential, while the energetics of adhesion is determined by the depths of the adhesion potential. These results are verified by numerical calculations.

Mechanisms of Salmonella entry into host cells

Salmonella enterica is an enteric bacterial pathogen that causes a variety of food and water-borne diseases ranging from gastroenteritis to typhoid fever. Ingested bacteria colonize the intestinal epithelium by triggering their own phagocytosis, using a sophisticated array of effector proteins that are injected into the host cell cytoplasm through a type III secretion apparatus. The synergistic action of these secreted effectors leads to a dramatic reorganization of the host actin cytoskeleton, resulting in vigorous membrane protrusion and the engulfment of attached bacteria. Analysis of these effector proteins and identification of their cellular targets has provided insight into the molecular mechanisms by which bacteria can subvert the host signalling and cytoskeletal machinery for their own purposes. This review is intended to summarize our current understanding of the tools used by Salmonella to enter host cells, with a focus on effectors that modulate the actin cytoskeleton.

Association of the tensin N-terminal protein-tyrosine phosphatase domain with the alpha isoform of protein phosphatase-1 in focal adhesions

Focal adhesions attach cultured cells to the extracellular matrix, and we found endogenous protein phosphatase-1alpha isoform (PP1alpha) localized in adhesions across the entire area of adherent fibroblasts. However, in fibroblasts migrating into a scrape wound or spreading after replating PP1alpha did not appear in adhesions near the leading edge but was recruited into other adhesions coincident in time and space with incorporation of tensin. Endogenous tensin and PP1alpha co-precipitated from cell lysates with isoform-specific PP1 antibodies. Chemical cross-linking of focal adhesion preparations with Lomant's reagent demonstrated molecular proximity of endogenous PP1alpha and tensin, whereas neither focal adhesion kinase nor vinculin was cross-linked and co-precipitated with PP1alpha, suggesting distinct spatial subdomains within adhesions. Transient expression of truncated tensin showed the N-terminal 360 residues, which comprise a protein-tyrosine phosphatase domain, alone were sufficient for isoform-selective co-precipitation of co-expressed PP1alpha. Human prostate cancer PC3 cells are deficient in tensin relative to fibroblasts and have fewer, mostly peripheral adhesions. Transient expression of green fluorescent protein tensin in these cancer cells induced formation of adhesions and recruited endogenous PP1alpha into those adhesions. Thus, the protein-tyrosine phosphatase domain of tensin exhibits isoform-specific association with PP1alpha in a restricted spatial region of adhesions that are formed during cell migration.

The uPA receptor and the somatomedin B region of vitronectin direct the localization of uPA to focal adhesions in microvessel endothelial cells

Vitronectin is a plasma protein which can deposit into the extracellular matrix where it supports integrin and uPA dependent cell migration. In earlier studies, we have shown that the plasma protein, vitronectin, stimulates focal adhesion remodeling by recruiting urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) to focal adhesion sites [Wilcox-Adelman, S. A., Wilkins-Port, C. E., McKeown-Longo, P. J., 2000. Localization of urokinase-type plasminogen activator to focal adhesions requires ligation of vitronectin integrin receptors. Cell. Adhes. Commun.7, 477-490]. In the present study, we used a variety of vitronectin constructs to demonstrate that the localization of uPA to adhesion sites requires the binding of both vitronectin integrin receptors and the uPA receptor (uPAR) to vitronectin. A recombinant fragment of vitronectin containing the connecting sequence (VN(CS)) was able to support integrin-dependent adhesion, spreading and focal adhesion assembly by human microvessel endothelial cells. Cells adherent to this fragment were not able to localize uPA to focal adhesions. A second recombinant fragment containing both the amino-terminal SMB domain and the CS domain was able to restore the localization of uPA to adhesion sites. This fragment, which contains a uPAR binding site, also resulted in the localization of uPAR to adhesion sites. uPAR blocking antibodies as well as phospholipase C treatment of cells inhibited uPA localization to adhesion sites confirming a role for uPAR in this process. The SMB domain alone was unable to direct either uPAR or uPA to adhesion sites in the absence of the CS domain. Our results indicate that vitronectin-dependent localization of uPA to adhesion sites requires the sequential binding of vitronectin integrins and uPAR to vitronectin.

Substrate mineralization stimulates focal adhesion contact redistribution and cell motility of bone marrow stromal cells

Understanding the mechanisms of substrate based control of cell function is critical to the design of biomaterials. Cells interact with their extracellular matrix through cell adhesion contacts. We have previously described the self assembly of bone-like mineral onto an organic template and have shown that these biomimetic surfaces lead to an increased volume fraction of bone regenerated in vivo. In the present study, we compared the distribution of cell adhesion contacts, cell spreading, and cell motility of murine bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) on mineralized vs. nonmineralized substrates. We developed a new approach for quantification of cell-material interactions and demonstrated that cell adhesion contacts on mineralized substrates were distributed throughout the cell surface contacting the substrate, whereas on nonmineralized substrates cell adhesion contacts were present near the cell periphery. We propose that mineralized substrates stimulate the predominant expression of fibrillar contacts, and nonmineralized substrates stimulate expression of focal adhesion contacts. Cell motility assays with colloidal gold demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in the average phagokinetic index of migrating cells on mineralized vs. nonmineralized substrates after 90 min of cell seeding. We propose that the physical-chemical properties of the substrate, altered by mineralization, cause expression of specific types of cell contacts and, as a result, modify molecular mechanisms responsible for cell spreading, motility, and possibly differentiation.

Integrin-mediated adhesion regulates membrane order

The properties of cholesterol-dependent domains (lipid rafts) in cell membranes have been controversial. Because integrin-mediated cell adhesion and caveolin both regulate trafficking of raft components, we investigated the effects of adhesion and caveolin on membrane order. The fluorescent probe Laurdan and two-photon microscopy revealed that focal adhesions are highly ordered; in fact, they are more ordered than caveolae or domains that stain with cholera toxin subunit B (CtxB). Membrane order at focal adhesion depends partly on phosphorylation of caveolin1 at Tyr14, which localizes to focal adhesions. Detachment of cells from the substratum triggers a rapid, caveolin-independent decrease in membrane order, followed by a slower, caveolin-dependent decrease that correlates with internalization of CtxB-stained domains. Endocytosed CtxB domains also become more fluid. Thus, membrane order is highly dependent on caveolae and focal adhesions. These results show that lipid raft properties are conferred by assembly of specific protein complexes. The ordered state within focal adhesions may have important consequences for signaling at these sites.

Phosphorylation of SHP-2 Regulates Interactions between the Endoplasmic Reticulum and Focal Adhesions to Restrict Interleukin-1-induced Ca2+ Signaling

Interleukin-1 (IL-1)-induced Ca2+ signaling in fibroblasts is constrained by focal adhesions. This process involves the proteintyrosine phosphatase SHP-2, which is critical for IL-1-induced phosphorylation of phospholipase Cgamma1, thereby enhancing IL-1-induced Ca2+ release and ERK activation. Currently, the mechanisms by which SHP-2 modulates Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum are not defined. We used immunoprecipitation and fluorescence protein-tagged SHP-2 or endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-protein expression vectors, and an ER-specific calcium indicator, to examine the functional relationships between SHP-2, focal adhesions, and IL-1-induced Ca2+ release from the ER. By total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy to image subplasma membrane compartments, SHP-2 co-localized with the ER-associated proteins calnexin and calreticulin at sites of focal adhesion formation in fibroblasts. IL-1beta promoted time-dependent recruitment of SHP-2 and ER proteins to focal adhesions; this process was blocked in cells treated with small interfering RNA for SHP-2 and in cells expressing a Y542F SHP-2 mutant. IL-1 stimulated inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor-mediated Ca2+ release from the ER subjacent to the plasma membrane that was tightly localized around fibronectin-coated beads and was reduced 4-fold in cells expressing Tyr-542 SHP-2 mutant. In subcellular fractions enriched for ER proteins, immunoprecipitation demonstrated that IL-1-enhanced association of SHP-2 with the type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor was dependent on Tyr-542 of SHP-2. We conclude that Tyr-542 of SHP-2 modulates IL-1-induced Ca2+ signals and association of the ER with focal adhesions.

Imaging Intracellular Fluorescent Proteins at Nanometer Resolution

We introduce a method for optically imaging intracellular proteins at nanometer spatial resolution. Numerous sparse subsets of photoactivatable fluorescent protein molecules were activated, localized (to approximately 2 to 25 nanometers), and then bleached. The aggregate position information from all subsets was then assembled into a superresolution image. We used this method--termed photoactivated localization microscopy--to image specific target proteins in thin sections of lysosomes and mitochondria; in fixed whole cells, we imaged vinculin at focal adhesions, actin within a lamellipodium, and the distribution of the retroviral protein Gag at the plasma membrane.

Phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase gamma is associated with cell-cell junction in A431 epithelial cells

Cell to cell contact in epithelial cells is crucial for tissue integrity and is maintained by junctional complexes, such as the adherens junction (AJ). Actin polymerization has been shown to be important for AJ formation; however, the molecular mechanisms have yet to be clarified. It has been shown that increased phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) induces actin polymerization. It is thus of interest to know more about the production of PIP2 during cell-cell adhesion formation in epithelial cells. The distribution of phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase gamma635 (PIP5Kgamma635), an isoform of the PIP2 synthesizing enzymes, was examined in epithelial cell line A431. It was found that, in non-contact cells, PIP5Kgamma635 was not concentrated at the plasma membrane. However, in cells that were in contact, PIP5Kgamma635 localized to the intercellular contact sites and colocalized with E-cadherin and beta-catenin, two components of AJ, and with polymerized actin, but did not colocalize with focal adhesion, integrin-mediated cell-substratum complex. Decreasing calcium ion concentration induced both disruption of intercellular adhesion and the dissociation of both PIP5Kgamma635 and actin from the contact site. These results suggest that PIP5K has an important role in actin polymerization in epithelial cell-cell adhesion.

Age-related changes in focal adhesions lead to altered cell behavior in tendon fibroblasts

During aging the increase in collagen cross-linking and total amount of collagen in tendon leads to a decline in both its flexibility and its ability to heal after injury. Fibroblasts are responsible for the synthesis of the macromolecules that constitute tendonous tissue. The ability of fibroblasts to maintain tissue homeostasis is compromised with increasing age underlying many of the age-related pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. This leads to a slowdown in connective tissue healing. Whether these deficits are due to changes in connective tissue, structure or to changes in tendon fibroblast function is unknown. We show that tendon fibroblasts from old mice have an altered morphology, reduced level of function, and exhibit changes in protein transport, compared to fibroblasts from young mice. The fibroblasts from old mice are not senescent, they are distinct phenotypes. Achilles tendon fibroblasts from old mice have low motility and proliferation, a poorly organised actin cytoskeleton and a different localisation of key focal adhesion proteins compared to the same cells from young mice. Additionally we found more of the protein misfolding indicator protein, GADD 153, in fibroblasts from old tendon. These results indicate that changes in tendon fibroblast function may well explain the age-related decline in tendon healing.

Detection of a hidden folding intermediate in the focal adhesion target domain: Implications for its function and folding

The focal adhesion target (FAT) domain of focal adhesion kinase has a four-helix bundle structure. Based on a hydrogen exchange-constrained computer simulation study and some indirect experimental results, it has been suggested that a partially unfolded state of the FAT domain with the N-terminal helix unfolded plays an important role in its biological function. Here, using a native-state hydrogen exchange method, we directly detected an intermediate with the N-terminal helix unfolded in a mutant (Y925E) of the FAT domain. In addition, kinetic folding studies on the FAT domain suggest that this intermediate exists on the native side of the rate-limiting transition state for folding. These results provide more direct evidence of the existence of the proposed intermediate and help to understand the folding mechanism of small single domain proteins.

Model of integrin-mediated cell adhesion strengthening

Cell adhesion to extracellular matrix components involves integrin binding, receptor clustering, and recruitment of cytoskeletal elements, leading to the formation of discrete adhesive structures (focal adhesions). A force balance, macroscopic-to-microscopic model of these adhesive events is presented in the context of experimentally measured parameters. Integrin bond force, bond numbers, and distribution along the contact area strongly modulated the resulting adhesive force. Furthermore, focal adhesion assembly enhanced adhesion strength by 30% over integrin clustering alone. Predicted values are in excellent agreement with experimental results. This model provides a simple framework to systematically analyze the contributions of different adhesive parameters to overall adhesion strength.

FORMATION OF FOCAL ADHESION-LIKE STRUCTURES IN CIRCULATING HUMAN NEUTROPHILS AFTER SEVERE INJURY

Neutrophils play a key role in injury to the lung, kidney, liver, and gastrointestinal tract, often seen after major trauma. We evaluated the role of integrin-linked focal adhesions in the primed state, previously identified in peripheral blood neutrophils from severely injured patients. Immunoblot analysis of Triton-insoluble cell fractions revealed that total paxillin content was unchanged in comparison with that found in neutrophils from healthy volunteers, but phosphorylation of paxillin on tyrosine residue 118 was increased by more than 2-fold. Immunoprecipitation with antipaxillin and immunoblotting for proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) and for fgr showed significantly more colocalization. Densitometric analysis of total phosphotyrosine profiles also demonstrated significantly more in patient cells as compared with healthy cells. When allowed to adhere to fibronectin-coated plates, healthy and patient cells demonstrate a significant increase in tyrosine phosphorylation from that found in suspension-phase cells. Differential interference contrast microscopy of healthy neutrophils adherent to fibronectin matrices demonstrated rounded cells, without evidence of spreading; spreading was induced by addition of TNF-alpha. Patient neutrophils spread spontaneously, a response not further enhanced by TNF-alpha. Confocal imaging using anti-Pyk2 demonstrated aggregation of Pyk2 into punctate structures in patient but not in healthy cells. We conclude that neutrophils from severely injured patients are in a primed state, characterized by formation of focal adhesion-like structures. The identification of such structures in a clinical disease setting where they likely participate in unwanted consequences provides a novel area for study of regulation of neutrophil function.

Stress fibers are generated by two distinct actin assembly mechanisms in motile cells

Stress fibers play a central role in adhesion, motility, and morphogenesis of eukaryotic cells, but the mechanism of how these and other contractile actomyosin structures are generated is not known. By analyzing stress fiber assembly pathways using live cell microscopy, we revealed that these structures are generated by two distinct mechanisms. Dorsal stress fibers, which are connected to the substrate via a focal adhesion at one end, are assembled through formin (mDia1/DRF1)–driven actin polymerization at focal adhesions. In contrast, transverse arcs, which are not directly anchored to substrate, are generated by endwise annealing of myosin bundles and Arp2/3-nucleated actin bundles at the lamella. Remarkably, dorsal stress fibers and transverse arcs can be converted to ventral stress fibers anchored to focal adhesions at both ends. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching analysis revealed that actin filament cross-linking in stress fibers is highly dynamic, suggesting that the rapid association–dissociation kinetics of cross-linkers may be essential for the formation and contractility of stress fibers. Based on these data, we propose a general model for assembly and maintenance of contractile actin structures in cells.

Lateral spacing of integrin ligands influences cell spreading and focal adhesion assembly

Cell-extracellular matrix (cell-ECM) interactions mediated by integrin receptors are essential for providing positional and environmental information necessary for many cell functions, such as proliferation, differentiation and survival. In vitro studies on cell adhesion to randomly adsorbed molecules on substrates have been limited to sub-micrometer patches, thus preventing the detailed study of structural arrangement of integrins and their ligands. In this article, we illustrate the role of the distance between integrin ligands, namely the RGD (arginine-glycine-aspartate) sequence present in ECM proteins, in the control of cell adhesion. By using substrates, which carry cyclic RGD peptides arranged in highly defined nanopatterns, we investigated the dynamics of cell spreading and the molecular composition of adhesion sites in relation to a fixed spacing between the peptides on the surface. Our novel approach for in vitro studies on cell adhesion indicates that not only the composition, but also the spatial organization of the extracellular environment is important in regulating cell-ECM interactions.

Focal adhesions: what's new inside

The cytoplasmic side of focal adhesions is comprised of large molecular complexes that link transmembrane receptors, such as integrins, to the actin cytoskeleton and mediate signals modulating cell attachment, migration, proliferation, differentiation, and gene expression. These complexes are heterogeneous and dynamic structures that are apparent targets of regulatory signals that control the function of focal adhesions. Recent studies using genetic approaches in invertebrate and vertebrate systems have begun to reveal the structure and function of these complexes in vivo.

Structural basis for the phosphorylation-regulated focal adhesion targeting of type Igamma phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase (PIPKIgamma) by talin

Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) is a key lipid messenger that regulates myriad diverse cellular signaling pathways. To ensure specificity in disparate cellular events, PIP2 must be localized to specific sub-cellular sites. At PIP2-regulated focal adhesion (FA) sites, such localization is in part mediated via the recruitment and activation of PIP2-producing enzyme, type Igamma phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase (PIPKIgamma), by a phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain of talin. Transient phosphorylation of PIPKIgamma at Y644 regulates the interaction and efficient FA targeting of PIPKIgamma; however, the underlying structural basis remains elusive. We have determined the NMR structure of talin-1 PTB in complex with the Y644-phosphorylated PIPKIgamma fragment (WVpYSPLH). As compared to canonical PTB domains that typically recognize the NPXpY turn motif from a variety of signaling proteins, our structure displays an unusual non-NPXpY-based recognition mode for talin-1 PTB where K(357)RW in beta5 strand forms an antiparallel beta-sheet with the VpYS of PIPKIgamma. A specific electrostatic triad between K357/R358 of talin-1 PTB and the pY644 of PIPKIgamma was observed, which is consistent with the mutagenesis and isothermal calorimetry data. Combined with previous in vivo data, our results provide a framework for understanding how phosphorylation of Y644 in PIPKIgamma promotes its specific interaction with talin-1, leading to efficient local synthesis of PIP2 and dynamic regulation of integrin-mediated FA assembly.

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 and h-prune regulate cell migration by modulating focal adhesions

h-prune, which has been suggested to be involved in cell migration, was identified as a glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3)-binding protein. Treatment of cultured cells with GSK-3 inhibitors or small interfering RNA (siRNA) for GSK-3 and h-prune inhibited their motility. The kinase activity of GSK-3 was required for the interaction of GSK-3 with h-prune. h-prune was localized to focal adhesions, and the siRNA for GSK-3 or h-prune delayed the disassembly of paxillin. The tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and the activation of Rac were suppressed in GSK-3 or h-prune knocked-down cells. GSK-3 inhibitors suppressed the disassembly of paxillin and the activation of FAK and Rac. Furthermore, h-prune was highly expressed in colorectal and pancreatic cancers, and the positivity of the h-prune expression was correlated with tumor invasion. These results suggest that GSK-3 and h-prune cooperatively regulate the disassembly of focal adhesions to promote cell migration and that h-prune is useful as a marker for tumor aggressiveness.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone functionally antagonizes testosterone activation of the human androgen receptor in prostate cells through focal adhesion complexes involving Hic-5

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs constitute the most widely employed medical treatment for prostatic cancer. The predominant mechanism of action is presumed to be via the inhibition of gonadotropins and resultant decrease in androgen. However, GnRH analogs have also been shown to directly inhibit prostate cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo through antiproliferative cell cycle arrest and stimulation of apoptosis. Since the GnRH receptor has been shown to affect sex steroid hormone receptor function, we considered that part of GnRH analog actions on prostate cells may be mediated through modulation of the human androgen receptor. Using a model HEK293 cell line expressing the GnRH receptor, we demonstrated a novel signalling pathway of the GnRH receptor that induces nuclear translocation of the androgen receptor that renders it transcriptionally inactive. This mechanism involves the calcium-dependent tyrosine kinase Pyk2, the non-receptor tyrosine kinase c-Src and the focal adhesion protein/steroid receptor co-factor, Hic-5. In this setting there is a GnRH-induced association and nuclear translocation of the androgen receptor with Hic-5. GnRH-induced Pyk2 activation opposed the association of Hic-5 with androgen receptor as overexpression of a dominant negative Pyk2 enhanced the GnRH-induced nuclear translocation of a green fluorescent protein-tagged human androgen receptor. GnRH-induced c-Src activation resulted in the phosphorylation of expressed Hic-5 and promoted its association with the human androgen receptor. In contrast to testosterone, GnRH-induced nuclear translocation did not transcriptionally activate the androgen receptor. We then demonstrated that GnRH can also stimulate androgen receptor mobilization in human prostate PC3, BPH-1 and LNCaP cells, and in cultured rat ventral prostate cells through the same mechanism. To determine if GnRH could antagonize androgen effects in normal tissue, we examined the effect of GnRH on rat ventral prostate organ cultures and demonstrated that GnRH can functionally antagonize the actions of testosterone on prostate cell proliferation and tissue growth. This antagonism of testosterone action by GnRH may underlie in part the capacity of GnRH receptor activation to inhibit prostate tumor growth.

Analyzing focal adhesion structure by atomic force microscopy

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) can produce high-resolution topographic images of biological samples in physiologically relevant environments and is therefore well suited for the imaging of cellular surfaces. In this work we have investigated focal adhesion complexes by combined fluorescence microscopy and AFM. To generate high-resolution AFM topographs of focal adhesions, REF52 (rat embryo fibroblast) cells expressing YFP-paxillin as a marker for focal adhesions were de-roofed and paxillin-positive focal adhesions subsequently imaged by AFM. The improved resolution of the AFM topographs complemented the optical images and offered ultrastructural insight into the architecture of focal adhesions. Focal adhesions had a corrugated dorsal surface formed by microfilament bundles spaced 127+/-50 nm (mean+/-s.d.) apart and protruding 118+/-26 nm over the substratum. Within focal adhesions microfilaments were sometimes branched and arranged in horizontal layers separated by 10 to 20 nm. From the AFM topographs focal adhesion volumes could be estimated and were found to range from 0.05 to 0.50 microm(3). Furthermore, the AFM topographs show that focal adhesion height increases towards the stress-fiber-associated end at an angle of about 3 degrees . Finally, by correlating AFM height information with fluorescence intensities of YFP-paxillin and F-actin staining, we show that the localization of paxillin is restricted to the ventral half of focal adhesions, whereas F-actin-containing microfilaments reside predominantly in the membrane-distal half.

Muscle costameric protein, Chisel/Smpx, associates with focal adhesion complexes and modulates cell spreading in vitro via a Rac1/p38 pathway

The murine X-linked gene Chisel (Csl/Smpx) encodes a 9-kDa protein that associates in heart and skeletal muscle cells with the costameric cytoskeleton, implicated in maintaining muscle integrity and responses to biomechanical stress. After expression in C2C12 myoblasts, MYC epitope-tagged Csl co-localized with actin networks at peripheral membranes, and with focal adhesion proteins vinculin, paxillin, integrin beta1, and the small GTPase Rac1. Csl could be co-immunoprecipitated with vinculin from extracts of C2C12 cells and native muscle. MYC-Csl induced cell spreading and lamellipodia formation in C2C12 cells at the expense of filopodia, suggestive of modulation of Rac1 activity. Lamellipodia formation was indeed Rac1-dependent, and in MYC-Csl cells replated on fibronectin, Rac1 activity was increased relative to controls. Expression of MYC-Csl led to an increased association between vinculin and p34, a subunit of the Arp2/3 actin nucleation complex, a Rac1-dependent event. Induced cell spreading was also dependent upon p38 kinases that act downstream of Rac1 to control the actin capping activity of heat shock protein 27. Our data suggest that Csl localizes to the costameric cytoskeleton of muscle cells through an association with focal adhesion proteins, where it may participate in regulation of cytoskeletal dynamics through the Rac1-p38 pathway.

Extracellular matrix rigidity governs smooth muscle cell motility in a biphasic fashion

Increasing evidence suggests that mechanical cues inherent to the extracellular matrix (ECM) may be equally as critical as its chemical identity in regulating cell behavior. We hypothesized that the mechanical properties of the ECM directly regulate the motility of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and tested this hypothesis using polyacrylamide substrates with tunable mechanical properties. Quantification of the migration speed on uniformly compliant hydrogels spanning a range of stiffnesses (Young's moduli values from 1.0 to 308 kPa for acrylamide/bisacrylamide ratios between 5/0.1% and 15/1.2%, respectively) revealed a biphasic dependence on substrate compliance, suggesting the existence of an optimal substrate stiffness capable of supporting maximal migration. The value of this optimal stiffness shifted depending on the concentration of ECM protein covalently attached to the substrate. Specifically, on substrates presenting a theoretical density of 0.8 microg/cm(2) fibronectin, the maximum speed of 0.74 +/- 0.09 microm/min was achieved on a 51.9 kPa gel; on substrates presenting a theoretical density of 8.0 microg/cm(2) fibronectin, the maximum speed of 0.72 +/- 0.06 microm/min occurred on a softer 21.6 kPa gel. Pre-treatment of cells with Y27632, an inhibitor of the Rho/Rho-kinase (ROCK) pathway, reduced these observed maxima to values comparable to those on non-optimal stiffnesses. In parallel, quantification of TritonX-insoluble vinculin via Western blotting, coupled with qualitative fluorescent microscopy, revealed that the formation of focal adhesions and actin stress fibers also depends on ECM stiffness. Combined, these data suggest that the mechanical properties of the underlying ECM regulate Rho-mediated contractility in SMCs by disrupting a presumptive cell-ECM force balance, which in turn regulates cytoskeletal assembly and ultimately, cell migration.

Receptor tyrosine phosphatase-dependent cytoskeletal remodeling by the hedgehog-responsive gene MIM/BEG4

During development, dynamic remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton allows the precise placement and morphology of tissues. Morphogens such as Sonic hedgehog (Shh) and local cues such as receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs) mediate this process, but how they regulate the cytoskeleton is poorly understood. We previously identified Basal cell carcinoma-enriched gene 4 (BEG4)/Missing in Metastasis (MIM), a Shh-inducible, Wiskott-Aldrich homology 2 domain-containing protein that potentiates Gli transcription (Callahan, C.A., T. Ofstad, L. Horng, J.K. Wang, H.H. Zhen, P.A. Coulombe, and A.E. Oro. 2004. Genes Dev. 18:2724-2729). Here, we show that endogenous MIM is induced in a patched1-dependent manner and regulates the actin cytoskeleton. MIM functions by bundling F-actin, a process that requires self-association but is independent of G-actin binding. Cytoskeletal remodeling requires an activation domain distinct from sequences required for bundling in vitro. This domain associates with RPTPdelta and, in turn, enhances RPTPdelta membrane localization. MIM-dependent cytoskeletal changes can be inhibited using a soluble RPTPdelta-D2 domain. Our data suggest that the hedgehog-responsive gene MIM cooperates with RPTP to induce cytoskeletal changes.

SHP-2 promoting migration and metastasis of MCF-7 with loss of E-cadherin, dephosphorylation of FAK and secretion of MMP-9 induced by IL-1beta in vivo and in vitro

Shp-2, an src homology (SH) two-containing phosphotyrosine phosphatase, appears to be involved in cytoplasmic signaling downstream of a variety of cell surface receptors. It also plays an important role in the control of cell spreading, migration, and cytoskeletal architecture. In our study, abrogation of SHP-2 catalytic activity with a'dominant-negative mutant (SHP-2C > S) displayed an increased number of focal adhesion, high expression of E-cadhenrin and phosphorylation of the focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Interestingly, the cells expressing SHP-2C > S showed reduced IL-1beta-stimulated chemotaxis compared with either mock- or SHP-2 wild type-transfected cells. We also found that SHP-2-GFP-transfected cell lines did not express E-cadherin nearly and produced high level of the matrix metalloproteinase MMP-9 in the supernatants. The loss of E-cadherin-mediated adhesion and the increase of MMP-9-induced migration had been shown to play an important role in the transition of epithelial tumors from a benign to an invasive state. These findings have raised the possibility that SHP-2 can promote the cancer cell to invasion the distant tissues. To determine whether SHP-2 promotes invasion and metastasis, we transfected MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines with SHP-2-GFP, SHP-2C > S-GFP and analyzed the effects of the SHP-2 on cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. In vitro, SHP-2-GFP-transfected cells migrated more efficiently, showed an increased invasion of Matrigel, and adhered less efficiently to monolayers of fibroblast cells. When injected into the abdominal cavity of nude mice, SHP-2-GFP-transfected cells metastasized widely to the lung, kidney, but MCF-7 with SHP-2C > S-GFP was not observed in the these organs. These results demonstrate that SHP-2 promotes invasion and metastasis of MCF-7 with the loss of E-cadherin, the dephosphorylation of FAK and the secretion of MMP-9 induced by IL-1beta.

Structural features of the focal adhesion kinase-paxillin complex give insight into the dynamics of focal adhesion assembly

The C-terminal region of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) consists of a right-turn, elongated, four-helix bundle termed the focal adhesion targeting (FAT) domain. The structure of this domain is maintained by hydrophobic interactions, and this domain is also the proposed binding site for the focal adhesion protein paxillin. Paxillin contains five well-conserved LD motifs, which have been implicated in the binding of many focal adhesion proteins. In this study we determined that LD4 binds specifically to only a single site between the H2 and H3 helices of the FAT domain and that the C-terminal end of LD4 is oriented toward the H2-H3 loop. Comparisons of chemical-shift perturbations in NMR spectra of the FAT domain in complex with the binding region of paxillin and the FAT domain bound to both the LD2 and LD4 motifs allowed us to construct a model of FAK-paxillin binding and suggest a possible mechanism of focal adhesion disassembly.

Structural basis for phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase type Igamma binding to talin at focal adhesions

The cytoskeletal protein talin binds to a short C-terminal sequence in phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase type Igamma (PIPKIgamma), activating the enzyme and promoting the local production of phosphatidylinositol 4,5 bisphosphate, which regulates focal adhesion dynamics as well as clathrin-mediated endocytosis in neuronal cells. Here we show by crystallographic, NMR, and calorimetric analysis that the phosphotyrosine binding (PTB)-like domain of talin engages the PIPKIgamma C terminus in a mode very similar to that of integrin binding. However, PIPKIgamma binds in the canonical PTB-peptide mode with an SPLH motif replacing the classic NPXY motif. The tighter packing of the SPLH motif against the hydrophobic core of talin may explain the stronger binding of PIPKIgamma. Two tyrosine residues flanking the SPLH motif (Tyr-644 and Tyr-649) have been implicated in the regulation of talin binding. We show that phosphorylation at Tyr-644, a Src phosphorylation site in vivo, has little effect on the binding mode or strength, which is consistent with modeling studies in which the phosphotyrosine makes surface-exposed salt bridges, and we suggest that its strong activating effect arises from the release of autoinhibitory restraints in the full-length PIPKIgamma. Modeling studies suggest that phosphorylation of Tyr-649 will likewise have little effect on talin binding, whereas phosphorylation of the SPLH serine is predicted to be strongly disruptive. Our data are consistent with the proposal that Src activity promotes a switch from integrin binding to PIPKIgamma binding that regulates focal adhesion turnover.

Focal adhesion regulation of cell behavior

Focal adhesions lie at the convergence of integrin adhesion, signaling and the actin cytoskeleton. Cells modify focal adhesions in response to changes in the molecular composition, two-dimensional (2D) vs. three-dimensional (3D) structure, and physical forces present in their extracellular matrix environment. We consider here how cells use focal adhesions to regulate signaling complexes and integrin function. Furthermore, we examine how this regulation controls complex cellular behaviors in response to matrices of diverse physical and biochemical properties. One event regulated by the physical structure of the ECM is phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) at Y397, which couples FAK to several signaling pathways that regulate cell proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion.

Using model substrates to study the dependence of focal adhesion formation on the affinity of integrin-ligand complexes

The adhesion of mammalian cells is mediated by the binding of cell-surface integrin receptors to peptide ligands from the extracellular matrix and the clustering of these receptors into focal adhesion complexes. This paper examines the effect of one mechanistic variable, ligand affinity, on the assembly of focal adhesions (FAs) in order to gain mechanistic insight into this process. This study uses self-assembled monolayers of alkanethiolates on gold as a substrate to present either a linear or cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp peptide at identical densities. Inhibition assays showed that the immobilized cyclic RGD is a higher affinity ligand than linear RGD. 3T3 Swiss fibroblasts attached to substrates presenting the cyclic peptide at twice the rate they attached to substrates presenting the linear peptide. Quantitation of focal adhesions revealed that cells on cyclic RGD had twice the number of FAs as did cells on linear RGD and that these focal adhesions were on average smaller. These findings show that affinity affects the assembly of integrins into focal adhesions and support a model based on competing rates of nucleation and growth of FAs to explain the change in distribution of FAs with ligand affinity. This study is important because it provides a model system that is well-suited for biophysical studies of integrin-mediated cell adhesion and reveals insight into one mechanism utilized by cells to perceive environmental changes.

Control of motile and invasive cell phenotypes by focal adhesion kinase

Cell motility is stimulated by extracellular stimuli and initiated by intracellular signaling proteins that localize to sites of cell contact with the extracellular matrix termed focal contacts. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is an intracellular protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK) that acts to regulate the cycle of focal contact formation and disassembly required for efficient cell movement. FAK is activated by a variety of cell surface receptors and transmits signals to a range of targets. Thus, FAK acts as an integrator of cell motility-associated signaling events. We will review the stimulatory and regulatory mechanisms of FAK activation, the different signaling connections of FAK that are mediated by a growing number of FAK-interacting proteins, and the modulation of FAK function by tyrosine and serine phosphorylation. We will also summarize findings with regard to FAK function in vertebrate and invertebrate development as well as recent insights into the mechanistic role(s) of FAK in promoting cell migration. As increased FAK expression and tyrosine phosphorylation have been correlated with the progression to an invasive cell phenotype, there is growing interest in elucidating the important FAK-related signaling connections promoting invasive tumor cell movement. To this end, we will discuss the effects of FAK inhibition via the dominant-negative expression of the FAK C-terminal domain termed FAK-related non-kinase (FRNK) and how these studies have uncovered a distinct role for FAK in promoting cell invasion that may differ from its role in promoting cell motility.