Direct Observation of a Coil-to-Helix Contraction Triggered by Vinculin Binding to Talin
Vinculin binds unfolded talin domains in focal adhesions, which recruits actin filaments to rein-force the mechanical coupling of this organelle. However, the mechanism by which this interaction is regulated, and its impact in the force transmission properties of this mechanotransduction pathway remain unknown. Here, we use magnetic tweezers force spectroscopy to measure the binding of vinculin head to the talin R3 domain under physiological force loads. For the first time, we resolve individual binding events as a short contraction of the unfolded talin polypeptide due to the reformation of the helices in the vinculin-binding sites. This force-dependent contraction dictates the mechanism by which force regulates the talin-vinculin interaction. Force is needed to unfold talin and expose the cryptic vinculin-binding sites; however, the structural contraction triggered by binding introduces an energy penalty that increases with force, defining an optimal binding force range. This novel mechanism implies that the talin-vinculin-actin association works in focal adhesions as a negative feedback mechanism, which operates to stabilize the force acting on each junction.