Integrins and Extracellular Matrix in Mechanotransduction

  1. Martin Alexander Schwartz
  1. Departments of Microbiology, Cell Biology, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908
  1. Correspondence: maschwartz{at}virginia.edu

Abstract

Integrins bind extracellular matrix fibrils and associate with intracellular actin filaments through a variety of cytoskeletal linker proteins to mechanically connect intracellular and extracellular structures. Each component of the linkage from the cytoskeleton through the integrin-mediated adhesions to the extracellular matrix therefore transmits forces that may derive from both intracellular, myosin-generated contractile forces and forces from outside the cell. These forces activate a wide range of signaling pathways and genetic programs to control cell survival, fate, and behavior. Additionally, cells sense the physical properties of their surrounding environment through forces exerted on integrin-mediated adhesions. This article first summarizes current knowledge about regulation of cell function by mechanical forces acting through integrin-mediated adhesions and then discusses models for mechanotransduction and sensing of environmental forces.

Footnotes

  • Editors: Richard Hynes and Kenneth Yamada

  • Additional Perspectives on Extracellular Matrix Biology available at www.cshperspectives.org



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      1. Cold Spring Harb. Perspect. Biol. 2: a005066 Copyright © 2010 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; all rights reserved

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