Exploring the neighborhood: adhesion-coupled cell mechanosensors.
Here we discuss recent studies addressing adhesion-coupled mechanosensory processes and consider their molecular nature. Are cells using stretch-activated ion channels to explore the extracellular environment surrounding them, or do they use for that purpose the submembrane protein network that interconnects integrin receptors with the actin cytoskeleton?
Geiger
Benjamin
B
Department of Molecular Cell Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 76100, Rehovot, Israel. benny.geiger@weizmann.ac.il
Bershadsky
Alexander
A
D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D022001:Focal Adhesions / Q000502:physiology*; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000378:metabolism*