Views: 222 Author: Leah Publish Time: 2025-02-25 Origin: Site
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● Introduction to Cadherin Tension Sensors
>> Mechanism of Cadherin Tension Sensors
● Applications in Disease Research
● FAQs
>> 1. What are cadherin tension sensors?
>> 2. How do cadherin tension sensors work?
>> 3. What diseases are studied using cadherin tension sensors?
>> 4. What is the significance of E-cadherin in cancer research?
>> 5. Can cadherin tension sensors be used for therapeutic applications?
Cadherin tension sensors have emerged as powerful tools in understanding the role of mechanical forces in cellular processes, particularly in the context of disease research. These sensors allow researchers to measure the tension experienced by cadherin proteins, which are crucial for maintaining cell-cell adhesion and transmitting mechanical forces across cell junctions. In this article, we will explore how cadherin tension sensors contribute to disease research, focusing on their applications, mechanisms, and potential impacts on our understanding of various diseases.
Cadherins are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in forming adherens junctions, which are essential for maintaining tissue structure and integrity. The cytoplasmic domain of cadherins interacts with catenins, linking them to the actomyosin cytoskeleton, thereby transmitting mechanical forces across cell-cell contacts[1][2]. Cadherin tension sensors are designed to measure these forces by incorporating a tension-sensing module into the cadherin protein. This module typically consists of a spring-like domain flanked by fluorescent proteins capable of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)[2][4].
The mechanism of cadherin tension sensors relies on the principle of FRET. When tension is applied to the sensor, the spring-like domain extends, increasing the distance between the fluorescent proteins. This separation reduces FRET efficiency, which can be optically detected and correlated with the applied force[2][4]. By inserting these sensors into specific locations within the cadherin protein, researchers can measure the tension experienced by cadherins in real-time, providing insights into how mechanical forces influence cellular behavior.
Cadherin tension sensors have been applied in various disease research contexts, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and developmental disorders. These sensors help elucidate how changes in mechanical forces at cell-cell junctions contribute to disease progression.
In cancer, changes in E-cadherin expression and function are associated with tumor progression and metastasis. E-cadherin tension sensors can help understand how alterations in mechanical forces at cell-cell junctions influence cancer cell behavior, such as migration and invasion[3][9]. For instance, detecting E-cadherin expression in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) can provide insights into the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process linked to cancer metastasis[3][6].
In cardiovascular research, VE-cadherin tension sensors have been used to study vascular morphogenesis and the effects of mechanical forces on endothelial cell junctions[7]. These studies highlight the role of VE-cadherin in maintaining vascular integrity and how changes in junctional tension might contribute to vascular diseases.
Cadherin tension sensors can also shed light on developmental processes and disorders. By monitoring changes in cadherin tension during tissue morphogenesis, researchers can better understand how mechanical forces influence tissue patterning and organ development[7][10].
The development and application of cadherin tension sensors represent a significant advancement in mechanobiology research. These tools not only enhance our understanding of cellular mechanics but also offer potential therapeutic targets for diseases involving altered cell-cell adhesion and mechanical forces.
Cadherin tension sensors have revolutionized the field of mechanobiology by providing a means to quantify mechanical forces at cell-cell junctions. Their applications in disease research, particularly in cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and developmental disorders, highlight the importance of understanding how mechanical forces influence cellular behavior. As research continues to evolve, these sensors are likely to play a crucial role in uncovering new therapeutic strategies for diseases associated with altered mechanical forces.
Cadherin tension sensors are genetically engineered proteins designed to measure the mechanical forces experienced by cadherin proteins at cell-cell junctions. They typically use FRET to report changes in tension.
These sensors work by incorporating a spring-like domain between two fluorescent proteins. When tension increases, the domain extends, reducing FRET efficiency, which can be optically detected.
Cadherin tension sensors are used in research on cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and developmental disorders to understand how changes in mechanical forces at cell-cell junctions contribute to disease progression.
E-cadherin is significant in cancer research because its expression and function are altered in many cancers, influencing tumor progression and metastasis. Cadherin tension sensors help elucidate these changes.
While primarily used for research, understanding mechanical forces through cadherin tension sensors could lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets for diseases involving altered cell-cell adhesion.
[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3411997/
[2] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-14136-y
[3] https://patents.google.com/patent/CN111638355A/zh
[4] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6031380/
[5] https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acssensors.4c00756
[6] https://patents.google.com/patent/CN109467588B/zh
[7] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-017-01325-6
[8] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5530647/
[9] https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2022001826A1/zh
[10] https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/552802v1.full-text
