Microtubule-associated serine/threonine-protein kinase-like (MASTL) is a mitosis-accelerating kinase with emerging roles in cancer progression. However, possible cell cycle-independent mechanisms behind its oncogenicity remain ambiguous. Here, we identify MASTL as an activator of cell contractility and MRTF-A/SRF (myocardin-related transcription factor A/serum…
A little something to read by Aki Stubb et al.
Thanks to the FinELib consortium (Finnish universities, research institutions and public libraries) we have been able to make our most recent publication in Nano Letters open access! “…
Fluctuation-Based Super-Resolution Traction Force Microscopy by Aki Stubb et al.
Cellular mechanics play a crucial role in tissue homeostasis and are often misregulated in disease. Traction force microscopy is one of the key methods that has enabled researchers to study fundamental aspects of mechanobiology; however, traction force microscopy is limited…
Integrin Binding Dynamics Modulate Ligand-Specific Mechanosensing in Mammary Gland Fibroblasts by Martina Lerche et al.
The link between integrin activity regulation and cellular mechanosensing of tissue rigidity, especially on different extracellular matrix ligands, remains poorly understood. Here, we find that primary mouse mammary gland stromal fibroblasts (MSFs) are able to spread efficiently, generate high forces,…
New Year – New Website – New Job
Thanks to everyone who applied to our two postdoc positions! We had a lot of applications and will get back to you shortly! Please bear with us.
Superresolution architecture of cornerstone focal adhesions in human pluripotent stem cells by Aki Stubb et al.
While it is clear that key transcriptional programmes are important for maintaining pluripotency, the requirement for cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix remains poorly defined. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) form colonies encircled by an actin ring and large stable…
Filopodia Quantification Using FiloQuant by Guillaume Jacquemet et al.
Filopodia are fingerlike membrane protrusions that are extended by cells in vitro and in vivo. Due to important roles in sensing the extracellular microenvironment, filopodia and filopodia-like protrusions have been implicated in numerous biological processes including epithelial sheet zippering in…
A Negative Feedback Loop Regulates Integrin Inactivation and Promotes Neutrophil Recruitment to Inflammatory Sites by Barry McCormick et al.
Neutrophils are abundant circulating leukocytes that are rapidly recruited to sites of inflammation in an integrin-dependent fashion. Contrasting with the well-characterized regulation of integrin activation, mechanisms regulating integrin inactivation remain largely obscure. Using mouse neutrophils, we demonstrate in this study…
Transcytosis route mediates rapid delivery of intact antibodies to draining lymph nodes by Laura Kähäri et al.
Lymph nodes (LNs) filter lymph to mount effective immune responses. Small soluble lymph-borne molecules from the periphery enter the draining LNs via a reticular conduit system. Intact antibodies and other larger molecules, in contrast, are physically unable to enter the…