Presenilin 1 affects focal adhesion site formation and cell force generation via c-Src transcriptional and posttranslational regulation.

ABSTRACT: Presenilin 1 and 2 (PS) are critical components of the gamma-secretase complex that cleaves type I transmembrane proteins within their transmembrane domains. This process leads to release of proteolytically processed products from cellular membranes and plays an essential role in signal transduction or vital functions as cell adhesion. Here we studied the function of presenilins in cell-matrix interaction of wild-type and PS knock-out mouse embryonic fibroblasts. We found for PS1(-/-) cells an altered morphology with significantly reduced sizes of focal adhesion sites compared with wild type. Cell force analyses on micropatterned elastomer films revealed PS1(-/-) cell forces to be reduced by 50%. Pharmacological inhibition confirmed this function of gamma-secretase in adhesion site and cel

SUBMITTER: Waschbusch D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2665068 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature