title: Mechanical aspects of cell shape regulation and signaling.
abstract: Physical forces play a critical role in cell integrity and development, but little is known how cells convert mechanical signals into biochemical responses. This mini-review examines potential molecular mediators like integrins, focal adhesion proteins, and the cytoskeleton in the context of a complex cell structure. These molecules-when activated by cell binding to the extracellular matrix-associate with the skeletal scaffold via the focal adhesion complex. Vinculin is presented as a mechanical coupling protein that contributes to the integrity of the cytoskeleton and cell shape control, and examples are given of how mechanical signals converge into biochemical responses through force-dependent changes in cell geometry and molecular mechanics.
authors: Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown 02129, USA. wgoldmann@partners.org
authors: Wolfgang H
authors: WH
authors: Goldmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D048429:Cell Size / Q000502:physiology*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000502:physiology*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D016596:Vinculin / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016596:Vinculin