Endothelial cell (EC) branching is critically dependent upon the dynamic nature of the microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton.Extracellular matrix (ECM) mechanosensing is a prominent mechanism by which cytoskeletal reorganization is achieved; yet how ECM-induced signaling is able to target cytoskeletal reorganization intracellularly to facilitate productive EC branching morphogenesis is not known.Here, we tested the hypothesis that Bike Parts - Forks the composition and density of the ECM drive the regulation of MT growth dynamics in ECs by targeting the MT stabilizing protein, cytoplasmic linker associated protein 1 (CLASP1).
High-resolution fluorescent microscopy coupled with computational image analysis reveal that CLASP1 promotes slow MT growth on glass ECMs and promotes short-lived MT growth on high-density collagen-I and fibronectin ECMs.Within EC branches, engagement of either high-density collagen-I or high-density fibronectin ECMs results in reduced MT growth speeds, while CLASP1-dependent effects on MT dynamics promotes elevated Tops numbers of short, branched protrusions that guide persistent and directed EC migration.