Presentation: 2025 ND EPSCoR Annual conference
October 21, 2025, NDSU Memorial Union, Fargo, North Dakota
The Effects of Environmental Stiffness on Talin Localization
Wyatt
Mutzenberger
Undergraduate Student
University of North Dakota
Co-authors: Wyatt Mutzenberger1, Hannah Huthmaker1, Mark McDowell1, Anjali Nayar1, Amanda Haage1 1University of North Dakota
Session
Poster number: 160
Nueta Room
Talin (TLN1) is a large focal adhesion protein (FA) that plays a significant role in cell migration. TLN1 acts as an activator of integrins which links the cells cytoskeleton to extracellular matrix (ECM). Additionally, a subgroup of TLN1 has been found to reside in the nucleus potentially affecting gene expression. During tumor progression the ECM environment becomes more stiff however, the effects of environmental stiffness on TLN1 localization remains unclear and little work has been done showing TLN1 role within the nucleus. In this study, polyacrylamide (PA) hydrogels with four levels of stiffness were used to asses TLN1 localization in STO cells. We hypothesize that environmental stiffness may determine TLN1 localization and thus role in cancer progression.