title: Uncovering mechanosensing mechanisms at the single protein level using magnetic tweezers.
abstract: Mechanosensing of the micro-environments has been shown to be essential for cell survival, growth, differentiation and migration. The mechanosensing pathways are mediated by a set of mechanosensitive proteins located at focal adhesion and cell-cell adherens junctions as well as in the cytoskeleton network. Here we review the applications of magnetic tweezers on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of the mechanosensing proteins. The scope of this review includes the principles of the magnetic tweezers technology, theoretical analysis of force-dependent stability and interaction of mechanosensing proteins, and recent findings obtained using magnetic tweezers.
authors: Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411, Singapore; Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117542, Singapore; Centre for Bioimaging Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117546, Singapore.
authors: Shimin
authors: S
authors: Le
authors: Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117542, Singapore; College of Physics, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China.
authors: Ruchuan
authors: R
authors: Liu
authors: Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411, Singapore; Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117575, Singapore; Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117575, Singapore. Electronic address: ctlim@nus.edu.sg.
authors: Chwee Teck
authors: CT
authors: Lim
authors: Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411, Singapore; Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117542, Singapore; Centre for Bioimaging Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117546, Singapore. Electronic address: phyyj@nus.edu.sg.
authors: Jie
authors: J
authors: Yan
mesh_terms: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D022001:Focal Adhesions / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D060328:Magnetic Phenomena; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular; D055550:Protein Stability; D016608:Talin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D016596:Vinculin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D051178:alpha Catenin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016608:Talin; D051178:alpha Catenin; D016596:Vinculin
keywords: -Catenin; Mechanosensing proteins; Single-molecule magnetic tweezers; Talin; Titin immunoglobulin domain; Vinculin