NaBC1 Boron Transporter Enables Myoblast Response to Substrate Rigidity via Fibronectin‐Binding Integrins
Cells are sensitive to the physical properties of their microenvironment and transduce them into biochemical cues that trigger gene expression and alter cell behavior. Numerous proteins, including integrins, are involved in these mechanotransductive events. Here, a novel role for the boron transporter NaBC1 is identified as a mechanotransducer. It is demonstrated that soluble boron ions activate NaBC1 to enhance cell adhesion and intracellular tension in C2C12 myoblasts seeded on fibronectin-functionalized polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogels. Retrograde actin flow and traction forces exerted by these cells are significantly increased in vitro in response to both increased boron concentration and hydrogel stiffness. These effects are fibronectin and NaBC1-mediated as they are abrogated in hydrogels coated with laminin-111 in place of fibronectin and in esiRNA NaBC1-silenced cells. These findings thus demonstrate that NaBC1 controls boron homeostasis and also functions as a mechanosensor.
Authors
- Manuel Salmerón‐Sánchez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8112-2100)
- Tezz Quon
- Juan González‐Valdivieso (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9007-2312)
- Udesh Dhawan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0393-9414)
- Aleixandre Rodrigo‐Navarro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3786-0464)
- Rafael R. Castillo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1957-3098)
- Graeme Milligan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6946-3519)
- Eva Barcelona‐Estaje
- Patricia Rico (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4918-9313)
- Giuseppe Ciccone (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7677-6257)
Institutions
- Universidad de Valladolid (ES)
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ES)
- Universidad de Alcalá (ES)
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (ES)
- Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (ES)
- Servicio de Salud de Castilla La Mancha (ES)
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (ES)
- Universitat Politècnica de València (ES)
- University of Glasgow (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Science
- Published
- 2025-04-24
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202407548
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Trace Elements in Health
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.12
Funders
- Centres de Recerca de Catalunya
- European Commission
- Generalitat de Catalunya
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
- European Regional Development Fund
- Agencia Estatal de Investigación
- Center for International Business Education and Research, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- H2020 European Research Council