Koh CG
Zyxin regulates embryonic stem cell fate by modulating mechanical and biochemical signaling interface
Biochemical signaling and mechano-transduction are both critical in regulating stem cell fate. How crosstalk between mechanical and biochemical cues influences embryonic development, however, is not extensively investigated.
ReadZyxin Is Involved in Fibroblast Rigidity Sensing and Durotaxis
Focal adhesions (FAs) play an important role in sensing mechanical cues in the extracellular matrix and transducing forces from the extracellular matrix into biological signals (Riveline et al., 2001). The cells can sense and respond to changes in the rigidity of the underlying substrates. When cells are grown on substrates of varying rigidity, they exert larger traction stress and migrate towards more rigid substrates in a phenomenon known as durotaxis (Lo et al., 2000). In order to sense substrate rigidity, the cells apply traction stress through FAs and actin stress fibres to measure mechanical responses of the substrate (Discher et al., 2005; Kobayashi and Sokabe, 2010; Prager-Khoutorsky et al., 2011). While the FA structure of mouse fibroblasts has been elucidated at the nanoscale level (Kanchanawong et al., 2010), little is known about the substrate rigidity sensing mechanisms of the cell.
ReadDynamic swimming pattern of Pseudomonas aeruginosa near a vertical wall during initial attachment stages of biofilm formation
Studying the swimming behaviour of bacteria in 3 dimensions (3D) allows us to understand critical biological processes, such as biofilm formation. It is still unclear how near wall swimming behaviour may regulate the initial attachment and biofilm formation.
ReadPhosphatase POPX2 interferes with cell cycle by interacting with Chk1
Protein–protein interaction network analysis plays critical roles in predicting the functions of target proteins. In this study, we used a combination of SILAC-MS proteomics and bioinformatic approaches to identify Checkpoint Kinase 1 (Chk1) as a possible POPX2 phosphatase interacting protein.
ReadEnhanced Delta-Notch Lateral Inhibition Model Incorporating Intracellular Notch Heterogeneity and Tension-Dependent Rate of Delta-Notch Binding that Reproduces Sprouting Angiogenesis Patterns
Endothelial cells adopt unique cell fates during sprouting angiogenesis, differentiating into tip or stalk cells. The fate selection process is directed by Delta-Notch lateral inhibition pathway. Classical Delta-Notch models produce a spatial pattern of tip cells separated by a single stalk cell, or the salt-and-pepper pattern. However, classical models cannot explain alternative tip-stalk patterning, such as tip cells that are separated by two or more stalk cells.
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