Vinculin and associated signalling networks in the regulation of cell motility

体内细胞从一个地方移动到另一个地方的过程称为细胞迁移。细胞迁移是生物体发育、伤口愈合和机体免疫反应的基础。所有这些生理过程都是由细胞与其环境的相互作用所调节的。控制这些相互作用的主要分子群是被称为整合素的细胞表面蛋白质。整合素跨越细胞膜，能够与细胞外部分附着在细胞外周围的蛋白质（细胞外基质）上。在细胞内，整合素与将它们连接到细胞高度灵活和动态骨架（肌动蛋白细胞骨架）的蛋白质相关联。整合素与细胞骨架的相互作用是间接的。其中一个控制整合素和肌动蛋白细胞骨架之间联系的关键分子被称为“血管蛋白”。缺乏这种蛋白的小鼠在发育过程中死亡较早，而缺乏血管蛋白的细胞具有高度转移性。Vinculin能够与其他11种蛋白质相互作用，这些蛋白质有可能发挥重要的信号来调节细胞与环境的通信。我的目的是了解血管蛋白如何协调众多信号，从而调节细胞与外界环境之间的通信。我们将利用先进的成像技术，通过可视化和监测其动态行为以及与活细胞中其他蛋白质的相互作用来探索vinculin的功能。我们将从基因上修饰vinculin及其与潜在结合伙伴相互作用的能力，从而测试vinculin如何控制对协调细胞迁移很重要的信号网络。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，血管素与细胞内收缩骨架的相互作用对于将力传递给整合素是必不可少的，整合素与细胞外部分结合到细胞外基质上。使用高度发达的纳米技术设备，我们将确定血管素信号如何促进这种从细胞内部到外部的力传递。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，我们将能够测试血管素如何将信号从细胞外部转移到细胞内部骨架。这项研究的结果将为我们更好地理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.