Image analysis for the quantitative comparison of stress fibers and focal adhesions

Elosegui-Artola, A. ; Jorge-Peñas, A. ; Moreno-Arotzena, O. ; Oregi, A. ; Lasa, M. ; García-Aznar, J.M. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; De Juan-Pardo, E.M. ; Aldabe, R.

Resumen: Actin stress fibers (SFs) detect and transmit forces to the extracellular matrix through focal adhesions (FAs), and molecules in this pathway determine cellular behavior. Here, we designed two different computational tools to quantify actin SFs and the distribution of actin cytoskeletal proteins within a normalized cellular morphology. Moreover, a systematic cell response comparison between the control cells and those with impaired actin cytoskeleton polymerization was performed to demonstrate the reliability of the tools. Indeed, a variety of proteins that were present within the string beginning at the focal adhesions (vinculin) up to the actin SFs contraction (non-muscle myosin II (NMMII)) were analyzed. Finally, the software used allows for the quantification of the SFs based on the relative positions of FAs. Therefore, it provides a better insight into the cell mechanics and broadens the knowledge of the nature of SFs.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107393

Año: 2014

Publicado en: PLoS One 9, 9 (2014), 1-10
ISSN: 1932-6203

Factor impacto JCR: 3.234 (2014)

Categ. JCR: MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCES rank: 9 / 57 = 0.158 (2014) - Q1 - T1

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EUR/FP7/ERC2012-StG-306751
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/ISCIII-PS09-00393
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MINECO/DPI2012-38090-C03-01

Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)

Área (Departamento): Mec. de Medios Contínuos y Teor. de Estructuras (Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica)