M. Sheetz

Rejuvenation of Senescent Cells by Low Frequency Ultrasound without Senolysis

Low-frequency ultrasound rejuvenates senescent cells by reversing 15 characteristics, including autophagy activation and reduced SASP secretion, improving healthspan in mice.

Cancer Cells in all EMT States Lack Rigidity Sensing Depletion of Different Tumor Suppressors Causes Loss of Rigidity Sensing in Cancer Cells

The paper shows that cancer cells across different EMT states lack rigidity sensing, often due to missing tumor suppressors like Tpm2.1, and this loss contributes to their transformed phenotype.

Cooperative regulation of adherens junction elongation through Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) activation.

The paper shows that EGFR activation increases adherens junction elongation speed without affecting final size in suspended cell aggregates.

Ultrasound-mediated mechanical forces selectively kill tumor cells

This paper shows low-frequency ultrasound selectively kills tumor cells via a calpain-dependent mitochondrial pathway involving Piezo1 channels, with minimal damage to normal cells in animal models and patient-derived organoids.

Force-dependent recruitment of Piezo1 drives focal adhesion maturation and calcium entry in normal but not tumor cells

The paper shows Piezo1 binds to matrix adhesions in a force-dependent manner in normal cells, promoting adhesion maturation and calcium entry, but not in tumor cells.

Both DNA binding domains of p53 are required for its ultra rapid recruitment to sites of UV damage

The paper shows p53 requires both DNA binding and C-terminal domains for ultra-rapid recruitment to UV damage sites, which is PARP-dependent and inhibited by cancer-associated mutations.

Mechanical Stretch Kills Transformed Cancer Cells

The paper shows that cyclic mechanical stretch induces apoptosis in transformed cancer cells but promotes growth in normal cells, with mechanoptosis driven by calcium influx and calpain activation.

Tumor suppressor DAPK1 catalyzes adhesion assembly on rigid but anoikis on soft matrices

This study shows DAPK1 promotes adhesion on rigid matrices and triggers anoikis on soft matrices through phosphorylation and interaction with rigidity-sensing modules.