{
  "abstract": "Kindlins are essential for integrin activation and mechanoresponses. In the epidermis, inherited loss-of-function of the FERMT1 gene, which encodes Kindlin-1, increases the risk of developing cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Notably, the role of Kindlin-1 in epidermal tumours has remained virtually unexplored. In this study, we analyzed the consequences of FERMT1 inactivation in a cSCC cell model. Kindlin-1-depleted cells exhibited decreased number and size of focal adhesions, as well as alterations in actin stress fibres and the F-actin perinuclear cap. Significantly, FERMT1 inactivation also resulted in reduced nuclear volume and total surface area. These abnormalities were not ameliorated by exogenous expression of Kindlin-2 or a Kindlin-1 mutant incapable of binding to integrins. In contrast, nuclear dimensions in Kindlin-1-deficient cells were restored in the presence of a constitutively active RhoA protein. These findings are consistent with the concept that Kindlin-1 plays an essential role mediating integrin signalling and RhoA activation to modulate perinuclear actin filaments and nuclear morphology.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada",
    "Children’s Health Research Institute, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada",
    "Department of Oncology, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 4,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Alejandra Varela"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Samar Sayedyahossein"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Rithwik Ramachandran"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1,
        2
      ],
      "name": "Lina Dagnino",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-1483-5159"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fyf3edsd6ze2e.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3390/cells15211991",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "fyf3edsd6ze2e",
  "issns": [
    "2073-4409"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/15/21/1991",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-31",
  "publisher": "MDPI AG",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fyf3edsd6ze2e.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-03T00:24:04Z",
      "native_id": "10.3390/cells15211991",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/15/21/1991"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "issn:2073-4409",
      "subfield": "cell-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Kindlin-1 Links Integrins and Maintenance of Nuclear Shape in Cutaneous Squamous Carcinoma Cells",
  "title_text": "Kindlin-1 Links Integrins and Maintenance of Nuclear Shape in Cutaneous Squamous Carcinoma Cells",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-04T00:24:56Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fyf3edsd6ze2e",
  "venue": "Cells",
  "versions": []
}