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The role of integrin-linked kinase in the molecular architecture of focal adhesions


Elad, Nadav; Volberg, Tova; Patla, Israel; Hirschfeld-Warneken, Vera; Grashoff, Carsten; Spatz, Joachim P; Fässler, Reinhard; Geiger, Benjamin; Medalia, Ohad (2013). The role of integrin-linked kinase in the molecular architecture of focal adhesions. Journal of Cell Science, 126(18):4099-40107.

Abstract

Integrin-mediated focal adhesions (FAs) are large, multi-protein complexes that link the actin cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix and take part in adhesion-mediated signaling. These adhesions are highly complex and diverse at the molecular level; thus, assigning particular structural or signaling functions to specific components is highly challenging. Here, we combined functional, structural and biophysical approaches to assess the role of a major FA component, namely, integrin-linked kinase (ILK), in adhesion formation. We show here that ILK plays a key role in the formation of focal complexes, early forms of integrin adhesions, and confirm its involvement in the assembly of fibronectin-bound fibrillar adhesions. Examination of ILK-null fibroblasts by cryo-electron tomography pointed to major structural changes in their FAs, manifested as disarray of the associated actin filaments and an increase in the packing density of FA-related particles. Interestingly, adhesion of the mutant cells to the substrate required a higher ligand density than in control cells. These data indicate that ILK has a key role in integrin adhesion assembly and sub-structure, and in the regulation of the FA-associated cytoskeleton.

Abstract

Integrin-mediated focal adhesions (FAs) are large, multi-protein complexes that link the actin cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix and take part in adhesion-mediated signaling. These adhesions are highly complex and diverse at the molecular level; thus, assigning particular structural or signaling functions to specific components is highly challenging. Here, we combined functional, structural and biophysical approaches to assess the role of a major FA component, namely, integrin-linked kinase (ILK), in adhesion formation. We show here that ILK plays a key role in the formation of focal complexes, early forms of integrin adhesions, and confirm its involvement in the assembly of fibronectin-bound fibrillar adhesions. Examination of ILK-null fibroblasts by cryo-electron tomography pointed to major structural changes in their FAs, manifested as disarray of the associated actin filaments and an increase in the packing density of FA-related particles. Interestingly, adhesion of the mutant cells to the substrate required a higher ligand density than in control cells. These data indicate that ILK has a key role in integrin adhesion assembly and sub-structure, and in the regulation of the FA-associated cytoskeleton.

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Additional indexing

Item Type:Journal Article, refereed, original work
Communities & Collections:04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Biochemistry
07 Faculty of Science > Department of Biochemistry
Dewey Decimal Classification:570 Life sciences; biology
Scopus Subject Areas:Life Sciences > Cell Biology
Language:English
Date:2013
Deposited On:07 Oct 2013 14:03
Last Modified:24 Jan 2022 01:37
Publisher:The Company of Biologists
ISSN:0021-9533
OA Status:Hybrid
Free access at:Publisher DOI. An embargo period may apply.
Publisher DOI:https://doi.org/10.1242/jcs.120295
PubMed ID:23843624
  • Content: Published Version