Talin contains three actin-binding sites each of which is adjacent to a vinculin-binding site

The actin binding sites of talin have both distinct and complementary roles in cell-ECM adhesion

Cell adhesion requires linkage of transmembrane receptors to the cytoskeleton through intermediary linker proteins. Integrin-based adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) involves large adhesion complexes that contain multiple cytoskeletal adapters that connect to the actin cytoskeleton. Many of these adapters, including the essential cytoskeletal linker Talin, have been shown to contain multiple actin-binding sites (ABSs) within a single protein. To investigate the possible role of having such a variety of ways of linking integrins to the cytoskeleton, we generated mutations in multiple actin binding sites in Drosophila talin. Using this approach, we have been able to show that different actin-binding sites in talin have both unique and complementary roles in integrin-mediated adhesion. Specifically, mutations in either the C-terminal ABS3 or the centrally located ABS2 result in lethality showing that they have unique and non-redundant function in some contexts. On the other hand, flies simultaneously expressing both the ABS2 and ABS3 mutants exhibit a milder phenotype than either mutant by itself, suggesting overlap in function in other contexts. Detailed phenotypic analysis of ABS mutants elucidated the unique roles of the talin ABSs during embryonic development as well as provided support for the hypothesis that talin acts as a dimer in in vivo contexts. Overall, our work highlights how the ability of adhesion complexes to link to the cytoskeleton in multiple ways provides redundancy, and consequently robustness, but also allows a capacity for functional specialization.

Actin-membrane linkers: Insights from synthetic reconstituted systems

At the cell surface, the actin cytoskeleton and the plasma membrane interact reciprocally in a variety of processes related to the remodeling of the cell surface. The actin cytoskeleton has been known to modulate membrane organization and reshape the membrane. To this end, actin-membrane linking molecules play a major role in regulating actin assembly and spatially direct the interaction between the actin cytoskeleton and the membrane. While studies in cells have provided a wealth of knowledge on the molecular composition and interactions of the actin-membrane interface, the complex molecular interactions make it challenging to elucidate the precise actions of the actin-membrane linkers at the interface. Synthetic reconstituted systems, consisting of model membranes and purified proteins, have been a powerful approach to elucidate how actin-membrane linkers direct actin assembly to drive membrane shape changes. In this review, we will focus only on several actin-membrane linkers that have been studied by using reconstitution systems. We will discuss the design principles of these reconstitution systems and how they have contributed to the understanding of the cellular functions of actin-membrane linkers. Finally, we will provide a perspective on future research directions in understanding the intricate actin-membrane interaction.

Rhotekin regulates axon regeneration through the talin-Vinculin-Vinexin axis in Caenorhabditis elegans

Axon regeneration requires actomyosin interaction, which generates contractile force and pulls the regenerating axon forward. In Caenorhabditis elegans, TLN-1/talin promotes axon regeneration through multiple down-stream events. One is the activation of the PAT-3/integrin-RHO-1/RhoA GTPase-LET-502/ROCK (Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase)-regulatory non-muscle myosin light-chain (MLC) phosphorylation signaling pathway, which is dependent on the MLC scaffolding protein ALP-1/ALP-Enigma. The other is mediated by the F-actin-binding protein DEB-1/vinculin and is independent of the MLC phosphorylation pathway. In this study, we identified the svh-7/rtkn-1 gene, encoding a homolog of the RhoA-binding protein Rhotekin, as a regulator of axon regeneration in motor neurons. However, we found that RTKN-1 does not function in the RhoA-ROCK-MLC phosphorylation pathway in the regulation of axon regeneration. We show that RTKN-1 interacts with ALP-1 and the vinculin-binding protein SORB-1/vinexin, and that SORB-1 acts with DEB-1 to promote axon regeneration. Thus, RTKN-1 links the DEB-1-SORB-1 complex to ALP-1 and physically connects phosphorylated MLC on ALP-1 to the actin cytoskeleton. These results suggest that TLN-1 signaling pathways coordinate MLC phosphorylation and recruitment of phosphorylated MLC to the actin cytoskeleton during axon regeneration.

Talin and kindlin cooperate to control the density of integrin clusters

Focal adhesions are composed of transmembrane integrins, linking the extracellular matrix to the actomyosin cytoskeleton, via cytoplasmic proteins. Adhesion depends on the activation of integrins. Talin and kindlin proteins are intracellular activators of integrins that bind to β-integrin cytoplasmic tails. Integrin activation and clustering through extracellular ligands guide the organization of adhesion complexes. However, the roles of talin and kindlin in this process are poorly understood. To determine the contribution of talin, kindlin, lipids and actomyosin in integrin clustering, we used a biomimetic in vitro system, made of giant unilamellar vesicles, containing transmembrane integrins (herein αIIbβ3), with purified talin (talin-1), kindlin (kindlin-2, also known as FERMT2) and actomyosin. Here, we show that talin and kindlin individually have the ability to cluster integrins. Talin and kindlin synergize to induce the formation of larger integrin clusters containing the three proteins. Comparison of protein density reveals that kindlin increases talin and integrin density, whereas talin does not affect kindlin and integrin density. Finally, kindlin increases integrin-talin-actomyosin coupling. Our study unambiguously demonstrates how kindlin and talin cooperate to induce integrin clustering, which is a major parameter for cell adhesion.

Structural Basis of β2 Integrin Inside—Out Activation

β2 integrins are expressed on all leukocytes. Precise regulation of the β2 integrin is critical for leukocyte adhesion and trafficking. In neutrophils, β2 integrins participate in slow rolling. When activated by inside–out signaling, fully activated β2 integrins mediate rapid leukocyte arrest and adhesion. The two activation pathways, starting with selectin ligand engagement and chemokine receptor ligation, respectively, converge on phosphoinositide 3-kinase, talin-1, kindlin-3 and Rap1. Here, we focus on recent structural insights into autoinhibited talin-1 and autoinhibited trimeric kindlin-3. When activated, both talin-1 and kindlin-3 can bind the β2 cytoplasmic tail at separate but adjacent sites. We discuss possible pathways for talin-1 and kindlin-3 activation, recruitment to the plasma membrane, and their role in integrin activation. We propose new models of the final steps of integrin activation involving the complex of talin-1, kindlin-3, integrin and the plasma membrane.

Integrin Regulators in Neutrophils

Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocytes in humans and are critical for innate immunity and inflammation. Integrins are critical for neutrophil functions, especially for their recruitment to sites of inflammation or infections. Integrin conformational changes during activation have been heavily investigated but are still not fully understood. Many regulators, such as talin, Rap1-interacting adaptor molecule (RIAM), Rap1, and kindlin, are critical for integrin activation and might be potential targets for integrin-regulating drugs in treating inflammatory diseases. In this review, we outline integrin activation regulators in neutrophils with a focus on the above critical regulators, as well as newly discovered modulators that are involved in integrin activation.

The Connection Between Rap1 and Talin1 in the Activation of Integrins in Blood Cells

Integrins regulate the adhesion and migration of blood cells to ensure the proper positioning of these cells in the environment. Integrins detect physical and chemical stimuli in the extracellular matrix and regulate signaling pathways in blood cells that mediate their functions. Integrins are usually in a resting state in blood cells until agonist stimulation results in a high-affinity conformation ("integrin activation"), which is central to integrins' contribution to blood cells' trafficking and functions. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of integrin activation in blood cells with a focus on recent advances understanding of mechanisms whereby Rap1 regulates talin1-integrin interaction to trigger integrin activation in lymphocytes, platelets, and neutrophils.

Striated muscle proteins are regulated both by mechanical deformation and by chemical post-translational modification

All cells sense force and build their cytoskeleton to optimize function. How is this achieved? Two major systems are involved. The first is that load deforms specific protein structures in a proportional and orientation-dependent manner. The second is post-translational modification of proteins as a consequence of signaling pathway activation. These two processes work together in a complex way so that local subcellular assembly as well as overall cell function are controlled. This review discusses many cell types but focuses on striated muscle. Detailed information is provided on how load deforms the structure of proteins in the focal adhesions and filaments, using α-actinin, vinculin, talin, focal adhesion kinase, LIM domain-containing proteins, filamin, myosin, titin, and telethonin as examples. Second messenger signals arising from external triggers are distributed throughout the cell causing post-translational or chemical modifications of protein structures, with the actin capping protein CapZ and troponin as examples. There are numerous unanswered questions of how mechanical and chemical signals are integrated by muscle proteins to regulate sarcomere structure and function yet to be studied. Therefore, more research is needed to see how external triggers are integrated with local tension generated within the cell. Nonetheless, maintenance of tension in the sarcomere is the essential and dominant mechanism, leading to the well-known phrase in exercise physiology: "use it or lose it."

Talin in mechanotransduction and mechanomemory at a glance

Talins are cytoskeletal linker proteins that consist of an N-terminal head domain, a flexible neck region and a C-terminal rod domain made of 13 helical bundles. The head domain binds integrin β-subunit cytoplasmic tails, which triggers integrin conformational activation to increase affinity for extracellular matrix proteins. The rod domain links to actin filaments inside the cell to transmit mechanical loads and serves as a mechanosensitive signalling hub for the recruitment of many other proteins. The α-helical bundles function as force-dependent switches - proteins that interact with folded bundles are displaced when force induces unfolding, exposing previously cryptic binding sites for other ligands. This leads to the notion of a talin code. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and the accompanying poster, we propose that the multiple switches within the talin rod function to process and store time- and force-dependent mechanical and chemical information.

Talin rod domain-containing protein 1 (TLNRD1) is a novel actin-bundling protein which promotes filopodia formation

Talin is a mechanosensitive adapter protein that couples integrins to the cytoskeleton. Talin rod domain-containing protein 1 (TLNRD1) shares 22% homology with the talin R7R8 rod domains, and is highly conserved throughout vertebrate evolution, although little is known about its function. Here we show that TLNRD1 is an α-helical protein structurally homologous to talin R7R8. Like talin R7R8, TLNRD1 binds F-actin, but because it forms a novel antiparallel dimer, it also bundles F-actin. In addition, it binds the same LD motif-containing proteins, RIAM and KANK, as talin R7R8. In cells, TLNRD1 localizes to actin bundles as well as to filopodia. Increasing TLNRD1 expression enhances filopodia formation and cell migration on 2D substrates, while TLNRD1 down-regulation has the opposite effect. Together, our results suggest that TLNRD1 has retained the diverse interactions of talin R7R8, but has developed distinct functionality as an actin-bundling protein that promotes filopodia assembly.

Talin mechanosensitivity is modulated by a direct interaction with cyclin-dependent kinase-1

Talin (TLN1) is a mechanosensitive component of adhesion complexes that directly couples integrins to the actin cytoskeleton. In response to force, talin undergoes switch-like behavior of its multiple rod domains that modulate interactions with its binding partners. Cyclin-dependent kinase-1 (CDK1) is a key regulator of the cell cycle, exerting its effects through synchronized phosphorylation of a large number of protein targets. CDK1 activity maintains adhesion during interphase, and its inhibition is a prerequisite for the tightly choreographed changes in cell shape and adhesion that are required for successful mitosis. Using a combination of biochemical, structural, and cell biological approaches, we demonstrate a direct interaction between talin and CDK1 that occurs at sites of integrin-mediated adhesion. Mutagenesis demonstrated that CDK1 contains a functional talin-binding LD motif, and the binding site within talin was pinpointed to helical bundle R8. Talin also contains a consensus CDK1 phosphorylation motif centered on S1589, a site shown to be phosphorylated by CDK1 in vitro. A phosphomimetic mutant of this site within talin lowered the binding affinity of the cytoskeletal adaptor KANK and weakened the response of this region to force as measured by single molecule stretching, potentially altering downstream mechanotransduction pathways. The direct binding of the master cell cycle regulator CDK1 to the primary integrin effector talin represents a coupling of cell proliferation and cell adhesion machineries and thereby indicates a mechanism by which the microenvironment can control cell division in multicellular organisms.

Filamin A Regulates Cardiovascular Remodeling

Filamin A (FLNA) is a large actin-binding cytoskeletal protein that is important for cell motility by stabilizing actin networks and integrating them with cell membranes. Interestingly, a C-terminal fragment of FLNA can be cleaved off by calpain to stimulate adaptive angiogenesis by transporting multiple transcription factors into the nucleus. Recently, increasing evidence suggests that FLNA participates in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, in which the interaction of FLNA with transcription factors and/or cell signaling molecules dictate the function of vascular cells. Localized FLNA mutations associate with cardiovascular malformations in humans. A lack of FLNA in experimental animal models disrupts cell migration during embryogenesis and causes anomalies, including heart and vessels, similar to human malformations. More recently, it was shown that FLNA mediates the progression of myocardial infarction and atherosclerosis. Thus, these latest findings identify FLNA as an important novel mediator of cardiovascular development and remodeling, and thus a potential target for therapy. In this update, we summarized the literature on filamin biology with regard to cardiovascular cell function.

Novel targetable FGFR2 and FGFR3 alterations in glioblastoma associate with aggressive phenotype and distinct gene expression programs

Prognostic molecular subgrouping of glioblastoma is an ongoing effort and the current classification includes IDH-wild-type and IDH-mutant entities, the latter showing significantly better prognosis. We performed a comparative integrated analysis of the FGFR glioblastoma subgroup consisting of 5 cases from a prospective 101-patient-cohort. FGFR alterations included FGFR2-TACC2 and FGFR2 amplifications arising in a multifocal IDH-mutant glioblastoma with unexpected 2.5-month patient survival, novel FGFR3 carboxy-terminal duplication and FGFR3-TLN1 fusion, and two previously described FGFR3-TACC3 fusions. The FGFR2 tumors showed additional mutations in SERPINE1/PAI-1 and MMP16, as part of extensive extracellular matrix remodeling programs. Whole transcriptomic analysis revealed common proliferation but distinct morphogenetic gene expression programs that correlated with tumor histology. The kinase program revealed EPHA3, LTK and ALK receptor tyrosine kinase overexpression in individual FGFR tumors. Paradoxically, all FGFR-fused glioblastomas shared strong PI3K and MAPK pathway suppression effected by SPRY, DUSP and AKAP12 inhibitors, whereas the FGFR2-TACC2 tumor elicited also EGFR suppression by ERRFI1 upregulation. This integrated analysis outlined the proliferation and morphogenetic expression programs in FGFR glioblastoma, and identified four novel, clinically targetable FGFR2 and FGFR3 alterations that confer aggressive phenotype and trigger canonical pathway feedback inhibition, with important therapeutic implications.

The Activation and Regulation of β2 Integrins in Phagocytes and Phagocytosis

Phagocytes, which include neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells, protect the body by removing foreign particles, bacteria, and dead or dying cells. Phagocytic integrins are greatly involved in the recognition of and adhesion to specific antigens on cells and pathogens during phagocytosis as well as the recruitment of immune cells. β2 integrins, including αLβ2, αMβ2, αXβ2, and αDβ2, are the major integrins presented on the phagocyte surface. The activation of β2 integrins is essential to the recruitment and phagocytic function of these phagocytes and is critical for the regulation of inflammation and immune defense. However, aberrant activation of β2 integrins aggravates auto-immune diseases, such as psoriasis, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis, and facilitates tumor metastasis, making them double-edged swords as candidates for therapeutic intervention. Therefore, precise regulation of phagocyte activities by targeting β2 integrins should promote their host defense functions with minimal side effects on other cells. Here, we reviewed advances in the regulatory mechanisms underlying β2 integrin inside-out signaling, as well as the roles of β2 integrin activation in phagocyte functions.

The Mechanical Basis of Memory - the MeshCODE Theory

One of the major unsolved mysteries of biological science concerns the question of where and in what form information is stored in the brain. I propose that memory is stored in the brain in a mechanically encoded binary format written into the conformations of proteins found in the cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesions that organise each and every synapse. The MeshCODE framework outlined here represents a unifying theory of data storage in animals, providing read-write storage of both dynamic and persistent information in a binary format. Mechanosensitive proteins that contain force-dependent switches can store information persistently, which can be written or updated using small changes in mechanical force. These mechanosensitive proteins, such as talin, scaffold each synapse, creating a meshwork of switches that together form a code, the so-called MeshCODE. Large signalling complexes assemble on these scaffolds as a function of the switch patterns and these complexes would both stabilise the patterns and coordinate synaptic regulators to dynamically tune synaptic activity. Synaptic transmission and action potential spike trains would operate the cytoskeletal machinery to write and update the synaptic MeshCODEs, thereby propagating this coding throughout the organism. Based on established biophysical principles, such a mechanical basis for memory would provide a physical location for data storage in the brain, with the binary patterns, encoded in the information-storing mechanosensitive molecules in the synaptic scaffolds, and the complexes that form on them, representing the physical location of engrams. Furthermore, the conversion and storage of sensory and temporal inputs into a binary format would constitute an addressable read-write memory system, supporting the view of the mind as an organic supercomputer.

β2 Integrin Signaling Cascade in Neutrophils: More Than a Single Function

Neutrophils are the most prevalent leukocytes in the human body. They have a pivotal role in the innate immune response against invading bacterial and fungal pathogens, while recent emerging evidence also demonstrates their role in cancer progression and anti-tumor responses. The efficient execution of many neutrophil effector responses requires the presence of β2 integrins, in particular CD11a/CD18 or CD11b/CD18 heterodimers. Although extensively studied at the molecular level, the exact signaling cascades downstream of β2 integrins still remain to be fully elucidated. In this review, we focus mainly on inside-out and outside-in signaling of these two β2 integrin members expressed on neutrophils and describe differences between various neutrophil stimuli with respect to integrin activation, integrin ligand binding, and the pertinent differences between mouse and human studies. Last, we discuss how integrin signaling studies could be used to explore the therapeutic potential of targeting β2 integrins and the intracellular signaling cascade in neutrophils in several, among other, inflammatory conditions in which neutrophil activity should be dampened to mitigate disease.

The F1 loop of the talin head domain acts as a gatekeeper in integrin activation and clustering

Integrin activation and clustering by talin are early steps of cell adhesion. Membrane-bound talin head domain and kindlin bind to the β integrin cytoplasmic tail, cooperating to activate the heterodimeric integrin, and the talin head domain induces integrin clustering in the presence of Mn2+ Here we show that kindlin-1 can replace Mn2+ to mediate β3 integrin clustering induced by the talin head, but not that induced by the F2-F3 fragment of talin. Integrin clustering mediated by kindlin-1 and the talin head was lost upon deletion of the flexible loop within the talin head F1 subdomain. Further mutagenesis identified hydrophobic and acidic motifs in the F1 loop responsible for β3 integrin clustering. Modeling, computational and cysteine crosslinking studies showed direct and catalytic interactions of the acidic F1 loop motif with the juxtamembrane domains of α- and β3-integrins, in order to activate the β3 integrin heterodimer, further detailing the mechanism by which the talin-kindlin complex activates and clusters integrins. Moreover, the F1 loop interaction with the β3 integrin tail required the newly identified compact FERM fold of the talin head, which positions the F1 loop next to the inner membrane clasp of the talin-bound integrin heterodimer.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

A distinct talin2 structure directs isoform specificity in cell adhesion

Integrin receptors regulate normal cellular processes such as signaling, cell migration, adhesion to the extracellular matrix, and leukocyte function. Talin recruitment to the membrane is necessary for its binding to and activation of integrin. Vertebrates have two highly conserved talin homologs that differ in their expression patterns. The F1-F3 FERM subdomains of cytoskeletal proteins resemble a cloverleaf, but in talin1, its F1 subdomain and additional F0 subdomain align more linearly with its F2 and F3 subdomains. Here, we present the talin2 crystal structure, revealing that its F0-F1 di-subdomain displays another unprecedented constellation, whereby the F0-F1-F2 adopts a new cloverleaf-like arrangement. Using multiangle light scattering (MALS), fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM), and FRET analyses, we found that substituting the corresponding residues in talin2 that abolish lipid binding in talin1 disrupt the binding of talin to the membrane, focal adhesion formation, and cell spreading. Our results provide the molecular details of the functions of specific talin isoforms in cell adhesion.

The Architecture of Talin1 Reveals an Autoinhibition Mechanism

Focal adhesions (FAs) are protein machineries essential for cell adhesion, migration, and differentiation. Talin is an integrin-activating and tension-sensing FA component directly connecting integrins in the plasma membrane with the actomyosin cytoskeleton. To understand how talin function is regulated, we determined a cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of full-length talin1 revealing a two-way mode of autoinhibition. The actin-binding rod domains fold into a 15-nm globular arrangement that is interlocked by the integrin-binding FERM head. In turn, the rod domains R9 and R12 shield access of the FERM domain to integrin and the phospholipid PIP₂ at the membrane. This mechanism likely ensures synchronous inhibition of integrin, membrane, and cytoskeleton binding. We also demonstrate that compacted talin1 reversibly unfolds to an ∼60-nm string-like conformation, revealing interaction sites for vinculin and actin. Our data explain how fast switching between active and inactive conformations of talin could regulate FA turnover, a process critical for cell adhesion and signaling.

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The structure of the autoinhibited human full-length talin1 was analyzed by cryo-EM

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Talin1 reversibly changes between a 15-nm closed and a ∼60-nm open conformation

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Rod R9/R12 and FERM domains synchronously shield membrane and cytoskeleton binding

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F-Actin and vinculin binding to talin is regulated by the opening of talin

Chapter 22: Structural and signaling functions of integrins

The integrin family of transmembrane adhesion receptors is essential for sensing and adhering to the extracellular environment. Integrins are heterodimers composed of non-covalently associated α and β subunits that engage extracellular matrix proteins and couple to intracellular signaling and cytoskeletal complexes. Humans have 24 different integrin heterodimers with differing ligand binding specificities and non-redundant functions. Complex structural rearrangements control the ability of integrins to engage ligands and to activate diverse downstream signaling networks, modulating cell adhesion and dynamics, processes which are crucial for metazoan life and development. Here we review the structural and signaling functions of integrins focusing on recent advances which have enhanced our understanding of how integrins are activated and regulated, and the cytoplasmic signaling networks downstream of integrins.

Coupling of β2 integrins to actin by a mechanosensitive molecular clutch drives complement receptor-mediated phagocytosis

αMβ2 integrin (complement receptor 3) is a major receptor for phagocytosis in macrophages. In other contexts, integrins’ activities and functions are mechanically linked to actin dynamics through focal adhesions (FAs). We asked whether mechanical coupling of αMβ2 integrin to the actin cytoskeleton mediates phagocytosis. We found that particle internalization was driven by formation of Arp2/3 and formin-dependent actin protrusions that wrapped around the particle. Focal complex-like adhesions formed in the phagocytic cup that contained β2 integrins, FA proteins and tyrosine kinases. Perturbation of talin and Syk demonstrated that a talin-dependent link between integrin and actin and Syk-mediated recruitment of vinculin enable force transmission to target particles and promote phagocytosis. Altering target mechanical properties demonstrated more efficient phagocytosis of stiffer targets. Thus, macrophages use tyrosine kinase signaling to build a mechanosensitive, talin- and vinculin-mediated, FA-like molecular clutch, which couples integrins to cytoskeletal forces to drive particle engulfment.

Force-Dependent Regulation of Talin-KANK1 Complex at Focal Adhesions

KANK proteins mediate cross-talk between dynamic microtubules and integrin-based adhesions to the extracellular matrix. KANKs interact with the integrin/actin-binding protein talin and with several components of microtubule-stabilizing cortical complexes. Because of actomyosin contractility, the talin-KANK complex is likely under mechanical force, and its mechanical stability is expected to be a critical determinant of KANK recruitment to focal adhesions. Here, we quantified the lifetime of the complex of the talin rod domain R7 and the KN domain of KANK1 under shear-force geometry and found that it can withstand forces for seconds to minutes over a physiological force range up to 10 pN. Complex stability measurements combined with cell biological experiments suggest that shear-force stretching promotes KANK1 localization to the periphery of focal adhesions. These results indicate that the talin-KANK1 complex is mechanically strong, enabling it to support the cross-talk between microtubule and actin cytoskeleton at focal adhesions.

Pulmonary Endothelial Mechanical Sensing and Signaling, a Story of Focal Adhesions and Integrins in Ventilator Induced Lung Injury

Patients with critical illness such as acute lung injury often undergo mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit. Though lifesaving in many instances, mechanical ventilation often results in ventilator induced lung injury (VILI), characterized by overdistension of lung tissue leading to release of edemagenic agents, which further damage the lung and contribute to the mortality and progression of pulmonary inflammation. The endothelium is particularly sensitive, as VILI associated mechanical stress results in endothelial cytoskeletal rearrangement, stress fiber formation, and integrity loss. At the heart of these changes are integrin tethered focal adhesions (FAs) which participate in mechanosensing, structure, and signaling. Here, we present the known roles of FA proteins including c-Src, talin, FAK, paxillin, vinculin, and integrins in the sensing and response to cyclic stretch and VILI associated stress. Attention is given to how stretch is propagated from the extracellular matrix through integrins to talin and other FA proteins, as well as signaling cascades that include FA proteins, leading to stress fiber formation and other cellular responses. This unifying picture of FAs aids our understanding in an effort to prevent and treat VILI.

Rare Missense Variants in TLN1 Are Associated With Familial and Sporadic Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an uncommon idiopathic disorder predominantly affecting young, otherwise healthy women. Rare familial cases reveal a genetic predisposition to disease. The aim of this study was to identify a novel susceptibility gene for SCAD.

METHODS

Whole-exome sequencing was performed in a family comprised of 3 affected individuals and filtered to identify rare, predicted deleterious, segregating variants. Immunohistochemical staining was used to evaluate protein expression of the identified candidate gene. The prevalence and spectrum of rare (<0.1%) variants within binding domains was determined by next-generation sequencing or denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography in a sporadic SCAD cohort of 675 unrelated individuals.

RESULTS

We identified a rare heterozygous missense variant within a highly conserved β-integrin-binding domain of TLN1 segregating with familial SCAD. TLN1 encodes talin 1-a large cytoplasmic protein of the integrin adhesion complex that links the actin cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix. Consistent with high mRNA expression in arterial tissues, robust immunohistochemical staining of talin 1 was demonstrated in coronary arteries. Nine additional rare heterozygous missense variants in TLN1 were identified in 10 sporadic cases. Incomplete penetrance, suggesting genetic or environmental modifiers of this episodic disorder, was evident in the familial case and 5 individuals with sporadic SCAD from whom parental DNA was available.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings reveal TLN1 as a disease-associated gene in familial and sporadic SCAD and, together with abnormal vascular phenotypes reported in animal models of talin 1 disruption, implicate impaired structural integrity of the coronary artery cytoskeleton in SCAD susceptibility.

Platelet integrin αIIbβ3: signal transduction, regulation, and its therapeutic targeting

Integrins are a family of transmembrane glycoprotein signaling receptors that can transmit bioinformation bidirectionally across the plasma membrane. Integrin αIIbβ3 is expressed at a high level in platelets and their progenitors, where it plays a central role in platelet functions, hemostasis, and arterial thrombosis. Integrin αIIbβ3 also participates in cancer progression, such as tumor cell proliferation and metastasis. In resting platelets, integrin αIIbβ3 adopts an inactive conformation. Upon agonist stimulation, the transduction of inside-out signals leads integrin αIIbβ3 to switch from a low- to high-affinity state for fibrinogen and other ligands. Ligand binding causes integrin clustering and subsequently promotes outside-in signaling, which initiates and amplifies a range of cellular events to drive essential platelet functions such as spreading, aggregation, clot retraction, and thrombus consolidation. Regulation of the bidirectional signaling of integrin αIIbβ3 requires the involvement of numerous interacting proteins, which associate with the cytoplasmic tails of αIIbβ3 in particular. Integrin αIIbβ3 and its signaling pathways are considered promising targets for antithrombotic therapy. This review describes the bidirectional signal transduction of integrin αIIbβ3 in platelets, as well as the proteins responsible for its regulation and therapeutic agents that target integrin αIIbβ3 and its signaling pathways.

An amphipathic helix of vinexin α is necessary for a substrate stiffness-dependent conformational change in vinculin

Extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness regulates various cell behaviors, including cell differentiation, proliferation and migration. Vinculin and vinexin α (an isoform encoded by the SORBS3 gene), both of which localize to focal adhesions, cooperatively function as mechanosensors of ECM stiffness. On a rigid ECM, vinexin α interacts with vinculin and induces a conformational change in vinculin to give an 'open' form, which promotes nuclear localization of Yes-associated protein (YAP, also known as YAP1) and transcriptional coactivator with a PDZ-binding motif (TAZ, also known as WWTR1) (hereafter YAP/TAZ). However, the detailed mechanism by which vinexin α induces the conformational change in vinculin has not been revealed. Here, we identify an amphipathic helix named H2 as a novel vinculin-binding site in vinexin α. The H2 helix interacts with the vinculin D1b subdomain and promotes the formation of a talin-vinculin-vinexin α ternary complex. Mutations in the H2 region not only impair the ability of vinexin α to induce the ECM stiffness-dependent conformational change in vinculin but also to promote nuclear localization of YAP/TAZ on rigid ECM. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the H2 helix in vinexin α plays a critical role in ECM stiffness-dependent regulation of vinculin and cell behaviors.

Universal Kinetics of the Onset of Cell Spreading on Substrates of Different Stiffness

When plated onto substrates, cell morphology and even stem-cell differentiation are influenced by the stiffness of their environment. Stiffer substrates give strongly spread (eventually polarized) cells with strong focal adhesions and stress fibers; very soft substrates give a less developed cytoskeleton and much lower cell spreading. The kinetics of this process of cell spreading is studied extensively, and important universal relationships are established on how the cell area grows with time. Here, we study the population dynamics of spreading cells, investigating the characteristic processes involved in the cell response to the substrate. We show that unlike the individual cell morphology, this population dynamics does not depend on the substrate stiffness. Instead, a strong activation temperature dependence is observed. Different cell lines on different substrates all have long-time statistics controlled by the thermal activation over a single energy barrier ΔG ≈ 18 kcal/mol, whereas the early-time kinetics follows a power law ∼t⁵. This implies that the rate of spreading depends on an internal process of adhesion complex assembly and activation; the operational complex must have five component proteins, and the last process in the sequence (which we believe is the activation of focal adhesion kinase) is controlled by the binding energy ΔG.

The interaction of talin with the cell membrane is essential for integrin activation and focal adhesion formation

Multicellular organisms have well-defined, tightly regulated mechanisms for cell adhesion. Heterodimeric αβ integrin receptors play central roles in this function and regulate processes for normal cell functions, including signaling, cell migration, and development, binding to the extracellular matrix, and senescence. They are involved in hemostasis and the immune response, participate in leukocyte function, and have biological implications in angiogenesis and cancer. Proper control of integrin activation for cellular communication with the external environment requires several physiological processes. Perturbation of these equilibria may lead to constitutive integrin activation that results in bleeding disorders. Furthermore, integrins play key roles in cancer progression and metastasis in which certain tumor types exhibit higher levels of various integrins. Thus, the integrin-associated signaling complex is important for cancer therapy development. During inside-out signaling, the cytoskeletal protein talin plays a key role in regulating integrin affinity whereby the talin head domain activates integrin by binding to the cytoplasmic tail of β-integrin and acidic membrane phospholipids. To understand the mechanism of integrin activation by talin, we determined the crystal structure of the talin head domain bound to the acidic phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂), allowing us to design a lipid-binding-deficient talin mutant. Our confocal microscopy with talin knockout cells suggests that the talin-cell membrane interaction seems essential for focal adhesion formation and stabilization. Basal integrin activation in Chinese hamster ovary cells suggests that the lipid-binding-deficient talin mutant inhibits integrin activation. Thus, membrane attachment of talin seems necessary for integrin activation and focal adhesion formation.

Talin as a mechanosensitive signaling hub

Cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM), mediated by transmembrane receptors of the integrin family, is exquisitely sensitive to biochemical, structural, and mechanical features of the ECM. Talin is a cytoplasmic protein consisting of a globular head domain and a series of α-helical bundles that form its long rod domain. Talin binds to the cytoplasmic domain of integrin β-subunits, activates integrins, couples them to the actin cytoskeleton, and regulates integrin signaling. Recent evidence suggests switch-like behavior of the helix bundles that make up the talin rod domains, where individual domains open at different tension levels, exerting positive or negative effects on different protein interactions. These results lead us to propose that talin functions as a mechanosensitive signaling hub that integrates multiple extracellular and intracellular inputs to define a major axis of adhesion signaling.

Filopodia and focal adhesions: An integrated system driving branching morphogenesis in neuronal pathfinding and angiogenesis

Single cell branching during development in vertebrates is typified by neuronal branching to form neurites and vascular branches formed by sprouting angiogenesis. Neurons and endothelial tip cells possess subcellular protrusions that share many common features from the morphological to the molecular level. Both systems utilize filopodia as their cellular protrusion organelles and depend on specific integrin-mediated adhesions to the local extracellular matrix for guidance in their pathfinding. We discuss the similar molecular machineries involved in these two types of cell branch formation and use their analogy to propose a new mechanism for angiogenic filopodia function, namely as adhesion assembly sites. In support of this model we provide primary data of angiogenesis in zebrafish in vivo showing that the actin assembly factor VASP participates in both filopodia formation and adhesion assembly at the base of the filopodia, enabling forward progress of the tip cell. The use of filopodia and their associated adhesions provide a common mechanism for neuronal and endothelial pathfinding during development in response to extracellular matrix cues.

The tale of two talins - two isoforms to fine-tune integrin signalling

Talins are cytoplasmic adapter proteins essential for integrin-mediated cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix. Talins control the activation state of integrins, link integrins to cytoskeletal actin, recruit numerous signalling molecules that mediate integrin signalling and coordinate recruitment of microtubules to adhesion sites via interaction with KANK (kidney ankyrin repeat-containing) proteins. Vertebrates have two talin genes, TLN1 and TLN2. Although talin1 and talin2 share 76% protein sequence identity (88% similarity), they are not functionally redundant, and the differences between the two isoforms are not fully understood. In this Review, we focus on the similarities and differences between the two talins in terms of structure, biochemistry and function, which hint at subtle differences in fine-tuning adhesion signalling.

Cell matrix adhesions in cancer: The proteins that form the glue

The main purposes of Integrin-mediated cell contacts are to interpret bi-directional signals between the extracellular environment and intracellular proteins, as well as, anchor the cell to a matrix. Many cell adhesion molecules have been discovered with a wide spectrum of responsibilities, including recruiting, activating, elongating, and maintaining. This review will perlustrate some of the key incidences that precede focal adhesion formation. Tyrosine phosphorylation is a key signaling initiation event that leads to the recruitment of multiple proteins to focal adhesion sites. Recruitment and concentration of proteins such as Paxillin and Vinculin to Integrin clutches is necessary for focal adhesion development. The assembled networks are responsible for transmitting signals back and forth from the extracellular matrix (ECM) to Actin and its binding proteins. Cancer cells exhibit highly altered focal adhesion dynamics. This review will highlight some key discoveries in cancer cell adhesion, as well as, identify current gaps in knowledge.

Integrin-bound talin head inhibits actin filament barbed-end elongation

Focal adhesions (FAs) mechanically couple the extracellular matrix to the dynamic actin cytoskeleton, via transmembrane integrins and actin-binding proteins. The molecular mechanisms by which protein machineries control force transmission along this molecular axis (i.e. modulating integrin activation and controlling actin polymerization) remain largely unknown. Talin is a major actin-binding protein that controls both the inside-out activation of integrins and actin filament anchoring and thus plays a major role in the establishment of the actin-extracellular matrix mechanical coupling. Talin contains three actin-binding domains (ABDs). The N-terminal head domain contains both the F3 integrin-activating domain and ABD1, whereas the C-terminal rod contains the actin-anchoring ABD2 and ABD3. Integrin binding is regulated by an intramolecular interaction between the N-terminal head and a C-terminal five-helix bundle (R9). Whether talin ABDs regulate actin polymerization in a constitutive or regulated manner has not been fully explored. Here, we combine kinetics assays using fluorescence spectroscopy and single actin filament observation in total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, to examine relevant functions of the three ABDs of talin. We find that the N-terminal ABD1 blocks actin filament barbed-end elongation, whereas ABD2 and ABD3 do not show any activity. By mutating residues in ABD1, we find that this activity is mediated by a positively charged surface that is partially masked by its intramolecular interaction with R9. Our results also demonstrate that, once this intramolecular interaction is released, the integrin-bound talin head retains the ability to inhibit actin assembly.

Vinculin is required to maintain glomerular barrier integrity

Cell-matrix interactions and podocyte intercellular junctions are key for maintaining the glomerular filtration barrier. Vinculin, a cytoplasmic protein, couples actin filaments to integrin-mediated cell-matrix adhesions and to cadherin-based intercellular junctions. Here, we examined the role of vinculin in podocytes by the generation of a podocyte-specific knockout mouse. Mice lacking podocyte vinculin had increased albuminuria and foot process effacement following injury in vivo. Analysis of primary podocytes isolated from the mutant mice revealed defects in cell protrusions, altered focal adhesion size and signaling, as well as impaired cell migration. Furthermore, we found a marked mislocalization of the intercellular junction protein zonula occludens-1. In kidney sections from patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, minimal change disease and membranous nephropathy, we observed dramatic differences in the expression levels and localization of vinculin. Thus, our results suggest that vinculin is necessary to maintain the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier by modulating podocyte foot processes and stabilizing intercellular junctions.

Talin2-mediated traction force drives matrix degradation and cell invasion

Talin binds to β-integrin tails to activate integrins, regulating cell migration, invasion and metastasis. There are two talin genes, TLN1 and TLN2, encoding talin1 and talin2, respectively. Talin1 regulates focal adhesion dynamics, cell migration and invasion, whereas the biological function of talin2 is not clear and, indeed, talin2 has been presumed to function redundantly with talin1. Here, we show that talin2 has a much stronger binding to β-integrin tails than talin1. Replacement of talin2 Ser339 with Cys significantly decreased its binding to β1-integrin tails to a level comparable to that of talin1. Talin2 localizes at invadopodia and is indispensable for the generation of traction force and invadopodium-mediated matrix degradation. Ablation of talin2 suppressed traction force generation and invadopodia formation, which were restored by re-expressing talin2 but not talin1. Furthermore, re-expression of wild-type talin2 (but not talin2^S339C) in talin2-depleted cells rescued development of traction force and invadopodia. These results suggest that a strong interaction of talin2 with integrins is required to generate traction, which in turn drives invadopodium-mediated matrix degradation, which is key to cancer cell invasion.

Talin - the master of integrin adhesions

Talin has emerged as the key cytoplasmic protein that mediates integrin adhesion to the extracellular matrix. In this Review, we draw on experiments performed in mammalian cells in culture and Drosophila to present evidence that talin is the most important component of integrin adhesion complexes. We describe how the properties of this adaptor protein enable it to orchestrate integrin adhesions. Talin forms the core of integrin adhesion complexes by linking integrins directly to actin, increasing the affinity of integrin for ligands (integrin activation) and recruiting numerous proteins. It regulates the strength of integrin adhesion, senses matrix rigidity, increases focal adhesion size in response to force and serves as a platform for the building of the adhesion structure. Finally, the mechano-sensitive structure of talin provides a paradigm for how proteins transduce mechanical signals to chemical signals.

Recognizing asymmetry in pseudo-symmetry; structural insights into the interaction between amphipathic α-helices and X-bundle proteins

An α-helix bundle is a small and compact protein fold always composed of more than 2 α-helices that typically run nearly parallel or antiparallel to each other. The repertoire of arrangements of α-helix bundle is such that these domains bind to a myriad of molecular entities including DNA, RNA, proteins and small molecules. A special instance of α-helical bundle is the X-type in which the arrangement of two α-helices interact at 45° to form an X. Among those, some X-helix bundle proteins bind to the hydrophobic section of an amphipathic α-helix in a seemingly orientation and sequence specific manner. In this review, we will compare the binding mode of amphipathic α-helices to X-helix bundle and α-helical bundle proteins. From these structures, we will highlight potential regulatory paradigms that may control the specific interactions of X-helix bundle proteins to amphipathic α-helices. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Biophysics in Canada, edited by Lewis Kay, John Baenziger, Albert Berghuis and Peter Tieleman.

Wdr1-Dependent Actin Reorganization in Platelet Activation

In resting platelets, the integrin αIIbβ3 is present in a low-affinity “bent” state. During platelet aggregation, intracytoplasmic signals induce conformational changes (inside-out signaling) that result in a “swung-out” conformation competent to bind ligands such as fibrinogen. The cytoskeleton plays an essential role in αIIbβ3 activation. We investigated the role of the actin interacting protein Wdr1 in αIIbβ3 activation. Wdr1-hypomorphic mice had a prolonged bleeding time (> 10 minutes) compared to that of wild-type mice (2.1 ± 0.7 minutes). Their platelets had impaired aggregation to collagen and thrombin. In a FeCl₃ induced carotid artery thrombosis model, vessel occlusion in Wdr1-hypomorphic mice was prolonged significantly compared to wild-type mice (9.0 ± 10.5 minutes versus 5.8 ± 12.6 minutes (p = 0.041). Activation-induced binding of JON/A (a conformation-specific antibody to activated αIIbβ3) was significantly less in Wdr1-hypomorphic platelets at various concentrations of collagen, indicating impaired inside-out activation of αIIbβ3, despite a normal calcium response. Actin turnover, assessed by measuring F-actin and G-actin ratios during collagen- and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation, was highly impaired in Wdr1-hypomorphic platelets. Furthermore, talin failed to redistribute and translocate to the cytoskeleton following activation in Wdr1-hypomorphic platelets. These studies show that Wdr1 is essential for talin-induced activation of αIIbβ3 during platelet activation.

Kindlin-2 directly binds actin and regulates integrin outside-in signaling

Bledzka et al. show that kindlin-2 binds actin via its F0 domain, and mutation of this site diminishes cell spreading, revealing a new mechanism by which kindlin-2 regulates cellular responses.

Reduced levels of kindlin-2 (K2) in endothelial cells derived from K2^+/− mice or C2C12 myoblastoid cells treated with K2 siRNA showed disorganization of their actin cytoskeleton and decreased spreading. These marked changes led us to examine direct binding between K2 and actin. Purified K2 interacts with F-actin in cosedimentation and surface plasmon resonance analyses and induces actin aggregation. We further find that the F0 domain of K2 binds actin. A mutation, LK⁴⁷/AA, within a predicted actin binding site (ABS) of F0 diminishes its interaction with actin by approximately fivefold. Wild-type K2 and K2 bearing the LK⁴⁷/AA mutation were equivalent in their ability to coactivate integrin αIIbβ3 in a CHO cell system when coexpressed with talin. However, K2-LK⁴⁷/AA exhibited a diminished ability to support cell spreading and actin organization compared with wild-type K2. The presence of an ABS in F0 of K2 that influences outside-in signaling across integrins establishes a new foundation for considering how kindlins might regulate cellular responses.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9-dependent mechanisms of reduced contractility and increased stiffness in the aging heart

PURPOSE

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) collectively degrade all extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Of the MMPs, MMP-9 has the strongest link to the development of cardiac dysfunction. Aging associates with increased MMP-9 expression in the left ventricle (LV) and reduced cardiac function. We investigated the effect of MMP-9 deletion on the cardiac ECM in aged animals.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

We used male and female middle-aged (10- to16-month old) and old (20- to 24-month old) wild-type (WT) and MMP-9 null mice (n = 6/genotype/age). LVs were decellularized to remove highly abundant mitochondrial proteins that could mask identification of relative lower abundant components, analyzed by shotgun proteomics, and proteins of interest validated by immunoblot.

RESULTS

Elastin microfibril interface-located protein 1 (EMILIN-1) decreased with age in WT (p < 0.05), but not in MMP-9 null. EMILIN-1 promotes integrin-dependent cell adhesion and EMILIN-1 deficiency has been associated with vascular stiffening. Talin-2, a cytoskeletal protein, was elevated with age in WT (p < 0.05), and MMP-9 deficiency blunted this increase. Talin-2 is highly expressed in adult cardiac myocytes, transduces mechanical force to the ECM, and is activated by increases in substrate stiffness. Our results suggest that MMP-9 deletion may reduce age-related myocardial stiffness, which may explain improved cardiac function in MMP-9 null animals.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified age-related changes in the cardiac proteome that are MMP-9 dependent, suggesting MMP-9 as a possible therapeutic target for the aging patient.

Vinculin controls talin engagement with the actomyosin machinery

The link between extracellular-matrix-bound integrins and intracellular F-actin is essential for cell spreading and migration. Here, we demonstrate how the actin-binding proteins talin and vinculin cooperate to provide this link. By expressing structure-based talin mutants in talin null cells, we show that while the C-terminal actin-binding site (ABS3) in talin is required for adhesion complex assembly, the central ABS2 is essential for focal adhesion (FA) maturation. Thus, although ABS2 mutants support cell spreading, the cells lack FAs, fail to polarize and exert reduced force on the surrounding matrix. ABS2 is inhibited by the preceding mechanosensitive vinculin-binding R3 domain, and deletion of R2R3 or expression of constitutively active vinculin generates stable force-independent FAs, although cell polarity is compromised. Our data suggest a model whereby force acting on integrin-talin complexes via ABS3 promotes R3 unfolding and vinculin binding, activating ABS2 and locking talin into an actin-binding configuration that stabilizes FAs.

The mechanosensitive proteins talin and vinculin mediate the linkage between integrin-bound extracellular matrix and the actin cytoskeleton. Here the authors dissect distinct roles for two actin-binding sites within talin on adhesion complex assembly and maturation, which are regulated by vinculin binding to talin.

Lamellipodial tension, not integrin/ligand binding, is the crucial factor to realise integrin activation and cell migration

The molecular clutch (MC) model proposes that actomyosin-driven force transmission permits integrin-dependent cell migration. To investigate the MC, we introduced diverse talin (TLN) and integrin variants into Flp-In™ T-Rex™ HEK293 cells stably expressing uPAR. Vitronectin variants served as substrate providing uPAR-mediated cell adhesion and optionally integrin binding. This particular system allowed us to selectively analyse key MC proteins and interactions, effectively from the extracellular matrix substrate to intracellular f-actin, and to therewith study mechanobiological aspects of MC engagement also uncoupled from integrin/ligand binding. With this experimental approach, we found that for the initial PIP2-dependent membrane/TLN/f-actin linkage and persistent lamellipodia formation the C-terminal TLN actin binding site (ABS) is dispensable. The establishment of an adequate MC-mediated lamellipodial tension instead depends predominantly on the coupling of this C-terminal TLN ABS to the actomyosin-driven retrograde actin flow force. This lamellipodial tension is crucial for full integrin activation eventually determining integrin-dependent cell migration. In the integrin/ligand-independent condition the frictional membrane resistance participates to these processes. Integrin/ligand binding can also contribute but is not necessarily required.

The talin dimer structure orientation is mechanically regulated

Formation of a stable cell-substrate contact can be regulated by mechanical force, especially at the focal adhesion. Individual proteins that make up the focal adhesions, such as talin, can exhibit mechanosensing. We previously described one mode of talin mechanosensing in which the vinculin-binding site of talin is exposed after force-induced stretch of a single talin rod domain. Here, we describe a second mode of talin mechanosensing in which the talin dimer itself can adopt different orientations in response to mechanical stimulation. Using molecular dynamics models, we demonstrate that the C-terminus region of the talin dimer is flexible mainly at the linker between the dimerization helices and the nearby actin-binding helical bundle. Our molecular dynamics simulations reveal two possible orientations of the talin dimer at its C-terminus. The extracellular matrix (ECM)-bound integrins cross-linked by talin can be forced apart leading to an elongated orientation of the talin dimer, and the ECM-bound integrins can be forced together by the ECM producing a collapsed orientation of the talin dimer. Formation of the elongated orientation is shown to be more favorable. Switching between the two talin dimer orientations constitutes a mode of mechanosensing.

Microtubule-dependent modulation of adhesion complex composition

The microtubule network regulates the turnover of integrin-containing adhesion complexes to stimulate cell migration. Disruption of the microtubule network results in an enlargement of adhesion complex size due to increased RhoA-stimulated actomyosin contractility, and inhibition of adhesion complex turnover; however, the microtubule-dependent changes in adhesion complex composition have not been studied in a global, unbiased manner. Here we used label-free quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics to determine adhesion complex changes that occur upon microtubule disruption with nocodazole. Nocodazole-treated cells displayed an increased abundance of the majority of known adhesion complex components, but no change in the levels of the fibronectin-binding α₅β₁ integrin. Immunofluorescence analyses confirmed these findings, but revealed a change in localisation of adhesion complex components. Specifically, in untreated cells, α₅-integrin co-localised with vinculin at peripherally located focal adhesions and with tensin at centrally located fibrillar adhesions. In nocodazole-treated cells, however, α₅-integrin was found in both peripherally located and centrally located adhesion complexes that contained both vinculin and tensin, suggesting a switch in the maturation state of adhesion complexes to favour focal adhesions. Moreover, the switch to focal adhesions was confirmed to be force-dependent as inhibition of cell contractility with the Rho-associated protein kinase inhibitor, Y-27632, prevented the nocodazole-induced conversion. These results highlight a complex interplay between the microtubule cytoskeleton, adhesion complex maturation state and intracellular contractile force, and provide a resource for future adhesion signaling studies. The proteomics data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD001183.