Olga Posukh - Under tension: inside-out activation of integrins at the cell–matrix interface

Nombre y apellidos: Olga Posukh

País: Serbia

Web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olga-posukh-9783ab2a3/

Redes sociales: https://www.instagram.com/posukh/

Título de la obra: Under tension: inside-out activation of integrins at the cell–matrix interface

Especie o elemento: living cells

Leyenda: (1) α- and β-integrins
(2) Collagen
(3) Laminin
(4) Elastin
(5) Talin
(6) Actin cytoskeleton
(7) Fibronectin

A — inactive (bent) integrin conformation
B — active (extended) integrin conformation (inside-out activation)

(1) Integrinas α y β
(2) Colágeno
(3) Laminina
(4) Elastina
(5) Talina
(6) Citoesqueleto de actina
(7) Fibronectina

Categoría: Ilustración Científica

Técnicas utilizadas: Digital

Inteligencia artificial: No.

Tamaño: 42 cm x 59,4 cm

Año de creación: 2026

Descripción:

Integrins (1 — α- and β-subunits) are transmembrane receptors that link cells to the extracellular matrix (ECM), a complex network of structural proteins, including collagen (2), laminin (3), and elastin (4).
A. In their inactive state, integrins adopt a bent conformation with low affinity for extracellular ligands.
B. Upon intracellular stimulation, integrins are activated through an inside-out signaling mechanism. Cytoplasmic adaptor proteins, such as talin (5), bind to the β-subunit tail and connect integrins to the actin cytoskeleton (6). This interaction relieves inhibitory constraints within the receptor and promotes its extension into an open, high-affinity conformation.
In this active state, integrins bind ECM ligands such as fibronectin (7) and interact with surrounding matrix components, initiating the assembly of adhesion complexes. This conformational transition enables force transmission across the cell membrane, allowing cells to anchor, sense, and mechanically interact with their environment.

This illustration was developed as part of an independent scientific illustration practice focused on communicating complex biological mechanisms.

The illustration was developed through scientific research and visual interpretation of integrin structure and activation mechanisms. A clear conceptual framework was defined to distinguish inactive and active conformations and their interactions with the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix.

The final image was produced digitally, with a limited color palette and controlled composition to ensure clarity, visual hierarchy, and scientific accuracy.