FIG. 1.

Proposed mechanotransduction mechanisms. First, (i) binding sites are exposed on the extracellular matrix (ECM), so (ii) integrins, formed by alpha and beta subunits, can bind. Next, (iii) p130Cas phosphorylation increases (iv) tyrosine kinase activity of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). This exposes (v) vinculin binding sites on talin, and (vi) the β-integrin tail on filamin. MLCK autoinhibition is released, (vii) and myosin II is activated. (viii) Adapted from Roca-Cusachs et al.¹⁸ Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/teb