Peigang Liang, Yuchen Wu, Shanyuan Zheng, Jiaqi Zhang, Shuo Yang, Jinfang Wang, Suibin Ma, Mengjun Zhang, Zhuang Gu, Qingfeng Liu, Wenxue Jiang, Qiong Xing, Bo Wang
Focal adhesions (FAs) are transmembrane protein assemblies mediating cell-matrix connection. Although protein liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) has been tied to the organization and dynamics of FAs, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we experimentally tune the LLPS of PXN/Paxillin, an essential scaffold protein of FAs, by utilizing a light-inducible Cry2 system in different cell types. In addition to nucleating FA components, light-triggered PXN LLPS potently activates integrin signaling and subsequently accelerates cell spreading...
April 1, 2024: Journal of Cell Biology