Analysis of mechanochemical conversion in focal adhesions by Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) (CAT#: STEM-MT-0034-WXH)

Introduction

Focal adhesions (FAs) are highly dynamic structures that grow or shrink due to the turnover of their component proteins (commonly known as “plaque proteins”) in response to changing mechanical stresses (e.g. actomyosin-generated forces, external forces exerted by or through the surrounding matrix).
Mechanotransduction—the process by which mechanical forces are converted into changes of intracellular biochemistry—is critical for normal cell and tissue function. Integrins facilitate mechanochemical conversion by transferring physical forces from the extracellular matrix, across the cell surface, and to cytoskeletal-associated proteins within focal adhesions.