Focal Adhesions Undergo Longitudinal Splitting into Fixed-Width Units (Current Biology)

Young and Higgs reveal novel aspects of FA organization and dynamics. FAs initially assemble as multiple laterally associated 0.3-?m-wide units, which then split in coordination with FA elongation. APC and VASP participate in the splitting process. These 0.3-?m focal adhesion units are fundamental and dynamic building blocks of FAs.