SKM 2023 – wissenschaftliches Programm

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 25: Cell Mechanics II

BP 25.5: Vortrag

Donnerstag, 30. März 2023, 16:00–16:15, BAR Schö

Self-stabilization of cell adhesions under load — •Benedikt Sabass — LMU München

Mechanical loading generally weakens adhesive structures and eventually leads to their rupture. However, biological systems can adapt to loads by strengthening adhesions, which is essential for maintaining the integrity of tissue and whole organisms. Inspired by cellular focal adhesions, we discuss generic, molecular mechanisms that enable adhesions to harness applied loads for self-stabilization through adhesion growth. The mechanisms are based on conformation changes of adhesion molecules that are dynamically exchanged with a reservoir. Tangential loading drives the occupation of some states out of equilibrium, which, for thermodynamic reasons, leads to association of further molecules with the cluster. The self-stabilization principle can be realized in many ways in complex adhesion-state networks and we show how it naturally occurs in cellular adhesions involving the adaptor proteins talin and vinculin.

Braeutigam, A., Simsek, A.N., Gompper, G., and Sabass, B., Nature Communications 13(1):1-9, 2022