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. 2018 Jul 5;9:824. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00824

FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 1

Schematic representation of key mechanosensing players involved in cell-ECM interaction at the focal adhesion (FA) site. Extracellular changes in stiffness, tension or other mechanical stimuli are perceived by integrin clusters whose morphological changes or distribution recruit FAK. Talin rod, vinculin, paxillin, and adaptor protein p130Cas dock to each other and transfer the mechanical cues from integrins to the actin component of the cytoskeleton. In close proximity with the FA inner core, VASP, Zyxin and actinins complex directly regulate actin assembly and dynamics. Adapted from Nardone et al. (2017). ACTN, actinin; FAK, focal adhesion kinase; IT, integrin; PAX, paxillin; TLN, talin; VASP, vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein; VCL, vinculin; ZYX, zyxin.