Abstract
Mechanical stretch has been shown to effect both cell morphology and signal transduction. Desmosomes are cell-cell adhesion junctions in epithelial and muscle cells, which are important for maintaining tissue integrity. However, the relation between mechanical stress and desmosomes is currently understudied. In this paper, we expressed the desmosomal protein plakoglobin-GFP (PGGFP) in MDCK cells and exposed them to cyclical strain, which is a typical mechanical stress exhibited in living tissue, and observe the effect this has on the desmosomal protein plakoglobin. Using time-lapse microscopy we observed some relocalisation of plakoglobin leading to the alteration of desmosome morphology. In order to study the alteration of desmosome morphology in more detail we are currently developing a real-time imaging system coupled to the stretch system.
