Dynamics and segregation of cell-matrix adhesions in cultured fibroblasts

E Zamir; M Katz; Y Posen; N Erez; K M Yamada; B Z Katz; S Lin; D C Lin; A Bershadsky; Z Kam; B Geiger

doi:10.1038/35008607

Dynamics and segregation of cell-matrix adhesions in cultured fibroblasts

Nat Cell Biol. 2000 Apr;2(4):191-6. doi: 10.1038/35008607.

Authors

E Zamir¹, M Katz, Y Posen, N Erez, K M Yamada, B Z Katz, S Lin, D C Lin, A Bershadsky, Z Kam, B Geiger

Affiliation

¹ Department of Molecular Cell Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.

PMID: 10783236
DOI: 10.1038/35008607

Abstract

Here we use time-lapse microscopy to analyse cell-matrix adhesions in cells expressing one of two different cytoskeletal proteins, paxillin or tensin, tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP). Use of GFP-paxillin to analyse focal contacts and GFP-tensin to study fibrillar adhesions reveals that both types of major adhesion are highly dynamic. Small focal contacts often translocate, by extending centripetally and contracting peripherally, at a mean rate of 19 micrometers per hour. Fibrillar adhesions arise from the medial ends of stationary focal contacts, contain alpha5beta1 integrin and tensin but not other focal-contact components, and associate with fibronectin fibrils. Fibrillar adhesions translocate centripetally at a mean rate of 18 micrometers per hour in an actomyosin-dependent manner. We propose a dynamic model for the regulation of cell-matrix adhesions and for transitions between focal contacts and fibrillar adhesions, with the ability of the matrix to deform functioning as a mechanical switch.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Actins / metabolism
Actomyosin / metabolism
Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / pharmacology
Cell Adhesion / physiology*
Cells, Cultured
Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics
Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism*
Cytoskeleton / drug effects
Cytoskeleton / physiology*
Extracellular Matrix / physiology*
Fibroblasts / cytology
Genes, Reporter
Green Fluorescent Proteins
Humans
Indicators and Reagents / metabolism
Luminescent Proteins / genetics
Microfilament Proteins / genetics
Microfilament Proteins / metabolism*
Paxillin
Phosphoproteins / genetics
Phosphoproteins / metabolism*
Recombinant Proteins / genetics
Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
Tensins
Thiazoles / pharmacology
Thiazolidines
Transfection

Substances

Actins
Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
Cytoskeletal Proteins
Indicators and Reagents
Luminescent Proteins
Microfilament Proteins
PXN protein, human
Paxillin
Phosphoproteins
Recombinant Proteins
Tensins
Thiazoles
Thiazolidines
Green Fluorescent Proteins
Actomyosin
latrunculin A