Tracking Focal Adhesion Turnover: A Novel Reporter for FA-Phagy Flux

Authors

Kuizhi Qu
Mengjun Dai
Ying Jiang
Sophie Liu
John P Hagan
Louise D McCullough
Zhen Xu
Yan-Ning Rui

Language

English

Publication Date

2-6-2026

Journal

Cells

DOI

10.3390/cells15030306

PMID

41677669

PMCID

PMC12896405

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

2-6-2026

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Focal adhesions (FAs) are critical multi-protein complexes regulating cell adhesion, migration, and survival, and their dysregulation contributes to cancer metastasis and vascular diseases. Despite extensive research on FA formation, little is known about FA turnover, particularly its regulation by autophagy. This study introduces a novel tandem fluorescence reporter capable of tracking the entire FA-phagy flux, from autophagosome formation to lysosomal degradation. The reporter, based on a red–green fluorescence system with a lysosome-specific cleavage site, integrates seamlessly into endogenous focal adhesion complexes, demonstrating sensitivity and specificity to autophagy stimuli. Validated in multiple cell lines, the tool revealed dynamic FA-phagy responses to starvation-induced autophagy and the involvement of autophagy regulators such as mTOR and ATG genes. This versatile reporter provides a powerful tool for investigating FA-phagy mechanisms, with significant implications for cancer biology and vascular research.

Keywords

Humans, Focal Adhesions, Autophagy, Lysosomes, Autophagosomes, Genes, Reporter, Animals, Cell Adhesion, focal adhesions, autophagy, FA-phagy, lysosome, new assay

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Qu, Kuizhi; Dai, Mengjun; Jiang, Ying; et al., "Tracking Focal Adhesion Turnover: A Novel Reporter for FA-Phagy Flux" (2026). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 5808.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthgsbs_docs/5808