Vinculin and associated signalling networks in the regulation of cell motility

细胞在体内从一个地方移动到另一个地方的过程称为细胞迁移。细胞迁移是机体发育、伤口愈合和免疫反应的基础。所有这些生理过程都受到细胞与环境相互作用的调节。控制这些相互作用的主要分子是称为整合素的细胞表面蛋白。整联蛋白跨越细胞膜，并且能够以其细胞外部分附着于位于细胞外部周围的蛋白质（细胞外基质）。整合素的细胞内部分与蛋白质结合，蛋白质将整合素连接到细胞的高度灵活和动态的骨架（肌动蛋白细胞骨架）。整合素与细胞骨架的相互作用是间接的。其中一个关键的分子，控制整联蛋白和肌动蛋白细胞骨架之间的联系，被命名为'vinculin'。缺乏这种蛋白质的小鼠在发育过程中早期死亡，并且缺乏黏着斑蛋白的细胞具有高度转移性。它能够与其他11种蛋白质相互作用，这些蛋白质有可能产生重要的信号，调节细胞与环境的通讯。我的目标是了解黏着斑蛋白如何协调众多的信号，从而调节细胞与外界环境之间的通信。我们将探索黏着斑蛋白的功能，通过可视化和监测其动态行为和相互作用与其他蛋白质在活细胞中使用先进的成像技术。我们将对黏着斑蛋白及其与潜在结合伙伴相互作用的能力进行遗传修饰，从而测试黏着斑蛋白如何控制对协调细胞迁移至关重要的信号网络。为了协调细胞运动，细胞需要对细胞外环境施加拉力。我们最近的发现表明，黏着斑蛋白与细胞中的收缩骨架的相互作用是必不可少的力的传输到整合素，结合其细胞外部分的细胞外基质。使用高度发达的纳米技术设备，我们将确定黏着斑蛋白信号如何有助于这种力从细胞内部传递到细胞外部。使用模拟细胞外部环境中的力（如体内的压力，拉伸和剪切力）的设备，我们将能够测试黏着斑蛋白如何将信号从细胞外部传递到细胞骨架内部。这项研究的结果将为我们更好地了解细胞运动在健康和疾病中是如何调节的提供重要信息。

The process whereby cells in the body move from place to place is called cell migration. Cell migration is fundamental for the development of organisms, wound healing, and the immune respose in the body. All these physiological processes are regulated by the interaction of the cell with its environment. The major group of molecules controlling these interactions are cell surface proteins called integrins. Integrins span the cell membrane and are able to attach with their extracellular part to proteins located in the outside surrounding of the cell (extracellular matrix). With their intracellular part, integrins associate with proteins that link them to the cells' highly flexible and dynamic skeleton (actin cytoskeleton). The interaction of integrins with the cytoskeleton is indirect. One of the key molecules, which control the link between integrins and the actin cytoskeleton, is named 'vinculin'. Mice lacking this protein die early during development, and cells deficient in vinculin are highly metastatic. Vinculin is able to interact with 11 other proteins, which have the potential to exert important signals regulating the cell communication with its environment. My aim is to understand how vinculin coordinates the numerous signals and thus modulates the communications between the cell and its outside surroundings. We will explore the function of vinculin by visualizing and monitoring its dynamic behaviour and interactions with other proteins in live cells using advanced imaging techniques. We will genetically modify vinculin and its ability to interact with its potential binding partners and thus test how vinculin controls a network of signals that is important for coordinated cell migration. For coordinated cell movements, the cell needs to exert pulling forces on the extracellular environment. Our recent discoveries suggest that vinculin interactions with the contractile skeleton in the cell are essential for the transmission of forces to the integrins that bind with its extracellular part to the extracellular matrix. Using highly developed nanotechnological devices, we will determine how vinculin signals contribute to such force transmission from the interior to the outside of the cell. Using devices that will mimic forces in the cells outer environment (such as pressure, stretching and shear forces in the body), we will be able to test how vinculin transfers signals from the outside of the cell to the inside cytoskeleton. The outcome of this study will provide us with important information for the better understanding of how cell motility is regulated in health and disease.