High impact information on Cell-Matrix Junctions

• Migfilin therefore functions as an important scaffold at cell-matrix adhesions [1].
• We show here that migfilin, a LIM-containing protein, localizes to cell-matrix adhesions, associates with actin filaments, and is essential for cell shape modulation [1].
• Src kinase controls cellular adhesions, including cadherin-based intercellular adhesions and integrin-mediated cell-matrix adhesions [2].
• PINCH, N(i)ck and the ILK: network wiring at cell-matrix adhesions [3].
• 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) [4].

Biological context of Cell-Matrix Junctions

• We report here that migfilin, a recently identified component of cell-matrix adhesions, is a biphasic regulator of cell migration [5].
• These findings indicate that specific cadherin- and integrin-mediated surface interactions can trigger positively cooperative long-range signaling events which lead to the selective assembly of cell-cell or cell-matrix adhesions, and that these signals involve tyrosine phosphorylation [6].
• The long flexible talin rod domain contains a number of binding sites for vinculin, a cytoskeletal protein important in stabilizing integrin-mediated cell-matrix junctions [7].

Anatomical context of Cell-Matrix Junctions

• Both isoforms of alpha-actinin became incorporated into stress fibers and cell-matrix junctions when full-length chick alpha-actinin cDNAs were expressed in monkey COS cells [8].
• Actin associated cell-matrix adhesions appear to provide the interface between ECM components and intracellular stress fibers, thus contributing to the transmission of force to the substrate and to the detection of stress level in the matrix [9].
• The GTP-binding proteins RhoA, Cdc42 and Rac1 regulate the organization and turnover of the cytoskeleton and cell-matrix adhesions, structures bridging cells to their support, and translating forces, external or generated within the cell [10].
• RESULTS: In bovine aortic endothelial cells, exposure to H-7 produced a reversible time- and concentration-dependent disruption of actin microfilaments and an alteration in the organization of cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions [11].

Gene context of Cell-Matrix Junctions

• Fibronectin polymerization regulates the composition and stability of extracellular matrix fibrils and cell-matrix adhesions [12].
• MUC1 (epithelial membrane antigen) is a membrane-associated mucin known to interfere with both cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions [13].
• A chimeric N-cadherin/beta 1-integrin receptor which localizes to both cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions [14].
• Binding of the cytoskeletal protein vinculin to talin is one of a number of interactions involved in linking F-actin to cell-matrix junctions [15].
• Active ERK/MAP kinase is targeted to newly forming cell-matrix adhesions by integrin engagement and v-Src [16].

References