Figure 1. ProG-based Tension Gauge Tether.

(A) Direct DNA conjugation on cadherin molecules reduced cadherin activity, leading to poorer DLD-1 cell adhesion and spreading. (B) The schematics of ligand immobilization through ProG-based TGT. Recombinant ligands with IgG-Fc fusion are assembled with ProG-TGT and immobilized on a glass surface passivated with polyethylene glycol (PEG). (C) Biotin tag was used to immobilize the ligand-TGT constructs. Biotin tag location on the dsDNA determines the tension tolerance T_tol of TGTs. Note that the T_tol values used in this article are nominal because the time scale of cellular force application is unknown. Scale bar: 100 μm.