title: Molecular bases of cell-cell junctions stability and dynamics.
abstract: Epithelial cell-cell junctions are formed by apical adherens junctions (AJs), which are composed of cadherin adhesion molecules interacting in a dynamic way with the cortical actin cytoskeleton. Regulation of cell-cell junction stability and dynamics is crucial to maintain tissue integrity and allow tissue remodeling throughout development. Actin filament turnover and organization are tightly controlled together with myosin-II activity to produce mechanical forces that drive the assembly, maintenance, and remodeling of AJs. In this review, we will discuss these three distinct stages in the lifespan of cell-cell junctions, using several developmental contexts, which illustrate how mechanical forces are generated and transmitted at junctions, and how they impact on the integrity and the remodeling of cell-cell junctions.
authors.affiliation: IBDML, UMR CNRS-Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Matthieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cavey
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lecuit
mesh_terms: D022005:Adherens Junctions / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D002450:Cell Communication; D004705:Endocytosis; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism*; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D009218:Myosins / Q000378:metabolism; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D015820:Cadherins; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D009218:Myosins