Relief of talin autoinhibition triggers a force-independent association with vinculin

Abstract

Talin and vinculin control mechanosensing by linking adhesion receptors to the contractile actin cytoskeleton. Using a mitochondrial targeting system, Atherton et al. elucidate mechanisms regulating conformational changes required for vinculin binding to talin. Such activation mechanisms are not required for either protein to interact with the adhesion regulatory protein paxillin.