Here we use time-lapse microscopy to analyse cell-matrix adhesions in cells
expressing one of two different cytoskeletal proteins, paxillin or tensin,
tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP), Use of GFP-paxillin to analys
e focal contacts and GFP-tensin to study fibrillar adhesions reveals that b
oth types of major adhesion are highly dynamic, Small focal contacts often
translocate, by extending centripetally and contracting peripherally, at a
mean rate of 19 micrometres per hour. Fibrillar adhesions arise from the me
dial ends of stationary focal contacts, contain alpha(5)beta(1) integrin an
d tensin but not other focal-contact components, and associate with fibrone
ctin fibrils, Fibrillar adhesions translocate centripetally at a mean rate
of 18 micrometres per hour in an actomyosin-dependent manner. We propose a
dynamic model for the regulation of cell-matrix adhesions and for transitio
ns between focal contacts and fibrillar adhesions, with the ability of the
matrix to deform functioning as a mechanical switch.