Fig. 3.
E-cadherin-force transduction activates α5β1 integrin. (A) Representative fluorescence images of cells treated with the integrin activation marker GST–fibronectin (FN)-III9-11, after force loading, washing and then staining with anti-GST antibody. (B) The mean±s.e.m. fluorescence intensity (MFI) of whole cells stained with anti-GST-antibody, with or without load (−Load, n=112 beads; +Load, n=104 beads). Two independent experiments were performed. Data were normalized to the −Load condition. (C) Representative western blots for GST–fibronectin-III9-11 and actin. Mechanically stimulated cells were treated with GST-fibronectin-III9-11, lysed, and bound GST-fibronectin-III9-11 was assessed by blotting for GST. Two independent experiments were performed. (D) Comparison (mean±s.e.m.) of peptide binding in C with or without load. Blots were normalized to actin, and intensities were relative to the −Load condition. *P<0.01 (Student's t-test).