Application 2: Force detection in live cells

In addition to the genetic and biochemical alternations, mechanic cues are increasingly recognized as key players at all stages throughout the metastasis cascade. However, the lack of appropriate measurement tools prevent us from studying the mechanic alternations in cancer initiation, progression, and spread. This project aims to explore the mechanic landscape of critical motor proteins in live cells. For example, our recent work investigates the force dynamics of focal adhesion of a breast cancer cell in metastasis. Elevated forces in focal adhesion is required for cell migration.

Related publications.

1. Fan, R. R. Zha, T. Sano, X. Y. Zhao, S. Z. Liu, M. D. Woollam, D. Wu, X. Sun, K. X. Li, M. Egi, F. J. Li^b, K. Minami, A. Siegel, T. Horiuchi, J. Liu, M. Agarwal, A. Sudo, H. Nakshatri, B. Y. Li, and H. Yokota, “Mechanical tibia loading remotely suppresses brain tumors by the dopamine-mediated downregulation of CCN4”, Bone Research, 9, 26, (2021).
2. Z. Liu, D. Wu, X. Sun, Y. Fan, R. R. Zha, A. Jalali, Y. Feng, K. X. Li, T. Sano, N. Vike, F. J. Li^b, J. Rispoli, A. Sudo, J. Liu, A. Robling, H. Nakshatri, B. Y. Li, and H. Yokota, “Overexpression of Lrp5 enhanced the anti-breast cancer effects of osteocytes in bone”, Bone Research, 9, 32 (2021).
3. Wu, Y. Fan, S. Z. Liu, M. D. Woollam, X. Sun, E. Murao, R. R. Zha, R. Prakash, C. Park^b, A. Siegel, J. Liu, M. Agarwal, B. Y. Li, and H. Yokota, “Loading-induced anti-tumor capability of murine and human urine”, FASEB Journal, 34, 7578 (2020).
4. Fan, A. Jalali, A. Chen, X. Y. Zhao, S. Z. Liu, M. Teli, Y. X. Guo, F. J. Li^b, J. R. Li, A. Siegel, L. X. Yang, J. Liu, S. S. Na, M. Agarwal, A. G. Robling, H. Nakshatri, B. Y. Li, and H. Yokota, “Skeletal loading regulates breast cancer-associated tumor progression and osteolysis in a loading intensity-dependent fashion”, Bone Research, 8, 9 (2020).
5. Li^b, A. Chen, S. Liu, A. Reeser^c, Y. Wang, Y. Fan, X. Zhao, R. Prakash^c, B. Li, H. Yokota, and J. Liu*, “Vinculin Force Sensor Detects Tumor-Osteocyte Interactions”, Scientific Reports, 9, 5615 (2019).