Imaging Cellular Mechanotransduction Using FRET-Based Biosensors

2014 ◽  
pp. 392-401 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cellular Mechanotransduction

scholarly journals Talin Folding as the Tuning Fork of Cellular Mechanotransduction

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Tapia-Rojo ◽  
Alvaro Alonso-Caballero ◽  
Julio M. Fernandez
Keyword(s):  
Bandpass Filter ◽  
Tuning Fork ◽  
Frequency Range ◽  
Periodic Force ◽  
Binding Partners ◽  
Mechanical Noise ◽  
Cellular Mechanotransduction ◽  
Folding Dynamics ◽  
Mechanical Information ◽  
Biological Environment

Cells continually sample their mechanical environment using exquisite force sensors such as talin, whose folding status triggers mechanotransduction pathways by recruiting binding partners. Mechanical signals in biology change quickly over time and are often embedded in noise; however, the mechanics of force-sensing proteins have only been tested using simple force protocols, such as constant or ramped forces. Here, using our magnetic tape head tweezers design, we measure the folding dynamics of single talin proteins in response to external mechanical noise and cyclic force perturbations. Our experiments demonstrate that talin filters out external mechanical noise but detects periodic force signals over a finely-tuned frequency range. Hence, talin operates as a mechanical bandpass filter, able to read and interpret frequency-dependent mechanical information through its folding dynamics. We describe our observations in the context of stochastic resonance, which we propose as a mechanism by which mechanosensing proteins could respond accurately to force signals in the naturally noisy biological environment.

scholarly journals Take-home Tensile Testing System for Biomechanics Education

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Leineweber
Keyword(s):  
Material Characterization ◽  
Tensile Testing ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Student Groups ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Industry Standard ◽  
Cellular Mechanotransduction ◽  
Grade Material ◽  
Take Home Labs

ABSTRACT Characterizing the load–deformation relationships in both engineering materials and biologic tissues is a key component of undergraduate biomechanics and mechanobiology courses. These relationships are essential to determining the suitability of a given material for biomedical applications, such as identifying the root causes of implant failure and injury and quantifying the effects of mechanical cellular mechanotransduction. Typically, material characterization is done by using industry standard and research-grade material testing systems, which can cost tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars and require large amounts of dedicated laboratory space. This article presents a new design for a low-cost and portable alternative to these commercial systems, consisting of off-the-shelf and 3-dimensional printed components for teaching purposes. Student groups assemble their own devices and conduct material characterization experiments for both elastic and viscoelastic materials on their own time, outside of traditional laboratory settings. The “take-home” labs were pilot tested over a single semester, and preliminary results showed increased understanding of elastic and viscoelastic theory compared with lecture alone. These results suggest that the take-home tensile testing systems may be an effective means of providing a hands-on educational experience in courses in which traditional lab activities are not otherwise possible.

Using the two-way shape memory effect of NiTi to control surface texture for cellular mechanotransduction

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 075028
Author(s):  
Yuan Liang ◽  
Haifeng Qin ◽  
Xiaoning Hou ◽  
Gary L Doll ◽  
Chang Ye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shape Memory ◽  
Shape Memory Effect ◽  
Memory Effect ◽  
Surface Texture ◽  
Control Surface ◽  
Cellular Mechanotransduction

Molecular mechanisms of cellular mechanotransduction in wound healing

2015 ◽  
pp. 266-294
Author(s):  
Vincent F. Fiore ◽  
Dwight M. Chambers ◽  
Thomas H. Barker
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cellular Mechanotransduction

Molecular Force Measurement with Tension Sensors

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa S. Fischer ◽  
Srishti Rangarajan ◽  
Tanmay Sadhanasatish ◽  
Carsten Grashoff
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Force Measurement ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Mechanical Forces ◽  
Biophysical Parameters ◽  
Cellular Mechanotransduction ◽  
Molecular Force ◽  
Molecular Forces ◽  
Physical Principles

The ability of cells to generate mechanical forces, but also to sense, adapt to, and respond to mechanical signals, is crucial for many developmental, postnatal homeostatic, and pathophysiological processes. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular mechanotransduction have remained elusive for many decades, as techniques to visualize and quantify molecular forces across individual proteins in cells were missing. The development of genetically encoded molecular tension sensors now allows the quantification of piconewton-scale forces that act upon distinct molecules in living cells and even whole organisms. In this review, we discuss the physical principles, advantages, and limitations of this increasingly popular method. By highlighting current examples from the literature, we demonstrate how molecular tension sensors can be utilized to obtain access to previously unappreciated biophysical parameters that define the propagation of mechanical forces on molecular scales. We discuss how the methodology can be further developed and provide a perspective on how the technique could be applied to uncover entirely novel aspects of mechanobiology in the future. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Biophysics, Volume 50 is May 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

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