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Decisions in a pinch: Receptor tyrosine kinases control mechanosensors

Date:
September 21, 2016
Source:
National University of Singapore
Summary:
The role of receptor tyrosine kinases in the regulation of the cellular mechanosensory machinery is now better understood, This discovery has relevance for understanding the basis of cancerous growth and developmental abnormalities.
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Researchers at the Mechanobiology Institute (MBI) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have identified a role of receptor tyrosine kinases in the regulation of the cellular mechanosensory machinery, which has relevance for understanding the basis of cancerous growth and developmental abnormalities. The work was published in Nano Letters in August 2016.

Controlling the mechanosensory machines

Cells live in different micro-environments within the human body. Each of these micro-environments vary in their stiffness, from soft (like blood) to hard (like bone). Cells have the ability to sense and react to different rigidities. For a tissue to develop properly, the cells within it must respond correctly to various stimuli, including the information from their physical surroundings.

To measure the stiffness, or rigidity, of their surroundings, cells utilise nano-scale 'mechanosensory' machines. These machines work like human fingers. When they are 'pinching' on the matrix (various proteins and sugars that surround cells), they determine whether the immediate environment is soft, stiff, or even solid. This information will then tell the cell whether to move, or to stay and grow. To ensure a cell responds correctly to the information it senses, these nano-machines must be maintained under precise control by many 'on or off' regulatory switches.

When the 'on or off' signals are generated incorrectly, the cellular machinery will operate in an inappropriate manner, and this can lead to the onset of various diseases. Cancer in particular is associated with a loss of regulation, and the mis-control of mechanosensory, motility, and growth programmes. The ultimate result here is that the cells ignore their micro-environment's rigidity, break free of their surrounding tissue, invade the bloodstream, establish themselves in otherwise foreign regions of the body, and begin to grow uncontrollably.

One class of protein that is critical in detecting signals and triggering an 'on or off' signal for other proteins are the Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs). Mutations or alterations in the RTKs are known to cause tissue malformation in development and they often function erratically in cancer. In fact, several successful cancer therapeutics target specific RTKs.

Now, MBI researchers have discovered that RTKs also regulate the ability of cells to test the rigidity or stiffness of their surroundings, by controlling the activity of mechanosensory machinery located at the cell periphery.

Led by MBI Director Professor Michael Sheetz, the research team observed cells on microfabricated pillars using fluorescence microscopy and identified the formation of small contractile units, which resembled sarcomeres (the contractile units of muscle), forming at the front edge of the cell. Each sarcomere-like unit bridged two matrix attachment sites and pulled on them simultaneously, causing them to deflect inwards towards each other. When working properly, these pinching units tell the cell how stiff the matrix attachments are.

Knowing the importance of RTKs in the regulation of cell and tissue growth programmes, the team disrupted or removed various RTKs from these cells, and again observed how they used the sarcomere-like contractile units to pinch matrix beneath them. Confirming their suspicions, when one RTK, known as AXL was disrupted, the cells pinched with greater force. However, when a separate RTK, known as ROR2 was disrupted, the pinching activity remained the same strength, but took place over a longer period of time. These alterations in the pinching machines caused them to respond to soft matrices as if they were rigid, which encouraged the cells to grow in soft environments, when they normally would not.

It is known that cancerous cells can ignore the rigidity of their surroundings and initiate cell motility or growth pathways regardless. Furthermore, altered interactions between AXL and components of the mechanosensory machinery had previously been attributed to the shift from normal cell growth to the establishment of malignant tumours; however the basis of this relationship remained unclear. It is now believed that in some cancers, the ability of cells to spread around the body, and establish new tumours results from the erratic functioning of the mechanosensory machinery as a result of abnormal RTK signalling. This research renews the notion that targeting specific RTKs is beneficial in the fight against cancer and it is hoped that with further research, scientists will identify new ways to regain the control of mechanosensory machines in cancerous cells to restore normal growth patterns.


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Materials provided by National University of Singapore. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Bo Yang, Zi Zhao Lieu, Haguy Wolfenson, Feroz M. Hameed, Alexander D. Bershadsky, Michael P. Sheetz. Mechanosensing Controlled Directly by Tyrosine Kinases. Nano Letters, 2016; 16 (9): 5951 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.6b02995

Cite This Page:

National University of Singapore. "Decisions in a pinch: Receptor tyrosine kinases control mechanosensors." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 21 September 2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160921084553.htm>.
National University of Singapore. (2016, September 21). Decisions in a pinch: Receptor tyrosine kinases control mechanosensors. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160921084553.htm
National University of Singapore. "Decisions in a pinch: Receptor tyrosine kinases control mechanosensors." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160921084553.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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