Mechano-chemical signaling in F9 cells

We investigated the molecular mechanism by which cells recognize and respond to physical forces in their local environment. Using a model system, to study wild type mouse F9 embryonic carcinoma cells, we examined how these cells sense mechanical stresses and translate them into biochemical responses through their cell surface receptor integrin and via the focal adhesion complex (FAC). Based on studies that show that many signal transducing molecules are immobilized on the cytoskeleton at the site of integrin binding within the focal adhesion complex, we found a time-dependent increase of focal adhesion kinase (pp125FAK) phosphorylation possibly due to protein kinase C (PKC) activation as well as protein kinase A (PKA) activity increase upon cell adhesion/spreading. These studies provide some insight into intracellular mechano-chemical signaling.