Vesa P Hytönen
1University of Tampere, Finland
Title: Steered molecular dynamics and single molecule atomic force microscopy to explore the mechanical response of talin
Biography
Biography: Vesa P Hytönen
Abstract
Talin is cytoplasmic protein connecting integrin receptors to actomyosin network. Th is linkage is essential for cell anchoring
and spreading and naturally also for development. Talin acts as a hub for molecular interactions in focal adhesions and
the interactions between talin and binding partners are regulated by mechanical signals. We study the mechanical response of
talin by steered molecular dynamics. Both constant force and constant velocity simulations in explicit water have been found
useful to explore the molecular features of talin. We have found talin rod subdomains to diff er from each other in terms of their
mechanical stability. Importantly, we have been able to compare and validate the results by using experimental data obtained
with single-molecule atomic force microscopy. Destabilizing point mutations applied on talin rod have been found to cause
signifi cant changes in cell spreading, migration and cellular traction force. Our recent studies focus on mechanically weakened
talin forms, intermediates of protein unfolding and engineering of unfolding-resistant talin forms.