Matrix Stiffness Dependent Regulation of Golgi Organization

Abstract

Cell-matrix adhesion plays an important role to regulate anchorage-dependent signaling. Earlier studies in the lab have shown integrin-dependent cell-matrix adhesion regulates Arf1 activation to control Golgi organization. The Golgi complex plays an essential role in sorting and processing membrane proteins. In this study, I look at the role AMPK and ceramide synthase could have in mediating adhesion-dependent Golgi organization. Integrin-mediated adhesion and signaling have been seen to be distinctly regulated by matrix stiffness and crosslinking in 3D microenvironments. Our studies have shown cells grown in 3D collagen gels of varying concentration and stiffness to differential regulate endocytosis (unpublished data). In this study, we tested and identify the Golgi organization to be distinctly regulated by changing stiffness and crosslinking in 3D collagen gels. Using Caveolin1 lacking WTMEFs I have further tested the role of Caveolin1 has in regulating matrix dependent Golgi organization in 3D gels. The results from these studies show ceramide synthesis to play a role in regulating the adhesion-dependent Golgi organization and further reveal 3D collagen organization and stiffness to control Golgi organization in a caveolin-1 dependent manner