Figure 7: Schematics of biphasic dependence of V D1 binding to αC M on force.
From: Force-dependent conformational switch of α-catenin controls vinculin binding
At low force (<5 pN), αCM exists under an auto-inhibited helix bundle conformation that prevents VD1 binding. At high force (>30 pN), VD1 binding is also inhibited because the α-helix conformation of the vinculin-binding site bound with VD1 is unstable. In the intermediate force range (5–30 pN), the auto-inhibited conformation of αCM is released, and the vinculin-binding site is exposed for VD1 binding.
