Figure 5: Mechanical stretching activates VD1 binding to αCM.
From: Force-dependent conformational switch of α-catenin controls vinculin binding
(a) Extension change of αCM in multiple stretch-relax force cycles in the presence of 10 nM VD1. The VD1 solution was slowly introduced at a low force (~1 pN) to avoid αCM unfolding by fluid-drag force. After the VD1 solution was introduced, the αCM molecule was held at ~2 pN for 10 min in the VD1 solutions before being stretched for the first time. Data were smoothed with 0.05-s time window. (b) In one out of four experiments after introduction of 100 nM VD1 solution at 2 pN, spontaneous binding of VD1 occurred indicated by a stepwise unfolding event. For clarity, data are smoothed using 0.5-s time interval.
