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Title: Quantifying Tensile Forces at Cell–Cell Junctions with a DNA-based Fluorescent Probe
Cells are physically contacting with each other. Direct and precise quantification of forces at cell–cell junctions is still challenging. Herein, we have developed a DNA-based ratiometric fluorescent probe, termed DNAMeter, to quantify intercellular tensile forces. These lipid-modified DNAMeters can spontaneously anchor onto live cell membranes. The DNAMeter consists of two self-assembled DNA hairpins of different force tolerance. Once the intercellular tension exceeds the force tolerance to unfold a DNA hairpin, a specific fluorescence signal will be activated, which enables the real-time imaging and quantification of tensile forces. Using E-cadherin-modified DNAMeter as an example, we have demonstrated an approach to quantify, at the molecular level, the magnitude and distribution of E-cadherin tension among epithelial cells. Compatible with readily accessible fluorescence microscopes, these easy-to-use DNA tension probes can be broadly used to quantify mechanotransduction in collective cell behaviors.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1662835
NSF-PAR ID:
10179907
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Chemical Science
ISSN:
2041-6520
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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