6-Substituted purines as ROCK inhibitors with anti-metastatic activity.

Rho-associated serine/threonine kinases (ROCKs) are principal regulators of the actin cytoskeleton that regulate the contractility, shape, motility, and invasion of cells. We explored the relationships between structure and anti-ROCK2 activity in a group of purine derivatives substituted at the C6 atom by piperidin-1-yl or azepan-1-yl groups. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) analyses suggested that anti-ROCK activity is retained, and may be further increased, by substitution of the parent compounds at the C2 atom or by expansion of the C6 side chain.

Novel FRET-Based Src Biosensor Reveals Mechanisms of Src Activation and Its Dynamics in Focal Adhesions.

Src kinase plays an important role in a multitude of fundamental cellular processes and is often found deregulated in tumors. Active Src adopts an open conformation, whereas inactive Src is characterized by a very compact structure stabilized by inhibitory intramolecular interactions. Taking advantage of this spatial regulation, we constructed a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based Src biosensor and analyzed conformational changes of Src following Src activation and the spatiotemporal dynamics of Src activity in cells.

Mechanosensors in integrin signaling: the emerging role of p130Cas.

Physicochemical interactions between the cell and its environment are crucial for morphogenesis, tissue homeostasis, remodeling and pathogenesis. Cells form specialized structures like focal adhesions and podosomes that are responsible for bi-directional information exchange between the cell and its surroundings. Besides their role in the transmission of regulatory signals, these structures are also involved in mechanosensing and mechanotransduction.