Molecular Mechanosensors and Focal Adhesion Mechanotransduction

Cellular response to mechanical stimulation is mediated by both biochemical mechanisms via changes in gene expression and by biophysical mechanisms via mechanically induced changes in specific molecules’ structure and function. These mechanically responsive molecules can be described as the cell’s mechanosensors and can function to initiate processes such as focal adhesion formation. A series of molecular dynamics investigations explore the mechanosensor function of key molecules involved in focal adhesion formation and cytoskeletal dynamics.