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The molecular clutch model for mechanotransduction evolves

Nature Cell Biology volume 18, pages 459–461 (2016) Cite this article

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Many biological processes are influenced by the mechanical rigidity of surrounding tissues. Now, a combination of experiments and mathematical modelling has been used to describe the precise molecular and physical mechanism by which cells sense and respond to the mechanical properties of their extracellular environment through integrin-based adhesions.

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Figure 1: The Roca-Cusachs model of the molecular clutch.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vinay Swaminathan and Clare M. Waterman are at the Cell Biology and Physiology Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-8019, USA,

    Vinay Swaminathan & Clare M. Waterman

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  1. Vinay Swaminathan
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  2. Clare M. Waterman
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Correspondence to Clare M. Waterman.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Swaminathan, V., Waterman, C. The molecular clutch model for mechanotransduction evolves. Nat Cell Biol 18, 459–461 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncb3350

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