Fig. 4: FAK phosphorylation increases linearly with applied force. | Nature Communications

Fig. 4: FAK phosphorylation increases linearly with applied force.

From: Force-FAK signaling coupling at individual focal adhesions coordinates mechanosensing and microtissue repair

Fig. 4

a Schematic of application of external force to integrin-based FAs and isolation of FAs using magnetic beads. b-d, pY397-FAK/tFAK levels for FAK-null cells expressing FAK constructs (top) and Western blots (below). b For WT FAK-expressing cells, pY397-FAK/tFAK levels (mean ± SD) increase linearly with applied force. Linear regression (P = 0.0489, pY397-FAK/FAK = 0.0345 × force + 1.870). t-test α: P = 0.0013, n = 3 independent experiments. c For FAK-null cells, background levels of pY397-FAK/tFAK (mean ± SD) are detected (n = 3 independent experiments). d For cells expressing FAK E1015A, pY397-FAK/tFAK levels (mean ± SD) are independent of external force. Linear regression (P = 0.0578). t-test α: P = 0.0158, n = 3 independent experiments. e–g pY397-FAK/tFAK levels for vinculin-null cells expressing vinculin constructs (top) and Western blots (below). e For WT vinculin-expressing cells, pY397-FAK/tFAK levels (mean ± SD) increase linearly with applied force. Linear regression P = 0.0288, pY397-FAK/FAK = 0.0801 × force + 1.721, n = 6 independent experiments. f pY397-FAK/tFAK levels (mean ± SD) in vinculin-null cells are independent of external force. Linear regression P = 0.4776, n = 4 independent experiments. g For cells expressing FAK E1015A, pY397-FAK/tFAK levels (mean ± SD) are independent of external force. Linear regression P = 0.5468, n = 3 independent experiments.

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