Fig. 3.

Candidate mechanotransducer systems. A: Cell cytoskeleton senses loading at the membrane through integrins that transmit force through focal adhesions and F-actin stress fibers. B: Cadherins, which connect to the cytoskeleton, are examples of outside-in signaling modifiers. Ephrins exemplify an inter-cellular signaling system regulated by movement of components within the plasma membrane. C: Primary cilia may sense flow, pressure and strain, activating ion flux through PC1 and TRPV4, which can activate Stat signals. Cilia also modulate Wnt signaling via noncanonical antagonism that leads to β-cat degradation. D: Membrane spanning proteins such as ion channels, purinergic receptors and connexins can be regulated through shear and strain.