Use of photoactivation and photobleaching to monitor the dynamic regulation of E-cadherin at the plasma membrane.
The dynamic control of E-cadherin is critical for establishing and maintaining cell-cell junctions in epithelial cells. The concentration of E-cadherin molecules at adherens junctions (AJs) is regulated by lateral movement of E-cadherin within the plasma membrane and endocytosis. Here we set out to study the interplay between these processes and their contribution to E-cadherin dynamics. Using photoactivation (PA) and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) we were able to monitor the fate of E-cadherin molecules within the plasma membrane. Our results suggest that the motility of E-cadherin within, and away from, the cell surface are not exclusive or independent mechanisms and there is a fine balance between the two which when perturbed can have dramatic effects on the regulation of AJs.
Canel
Marta
M
Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. m.canel@ed.ac.uk
Serrels
Alan
A
Anderson
Kurt I
KI
Frame
Margaret C
MC
Brunton
Valerie G
VG
D022005:Adherens Junctions / Q000378:metabolism; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D034281:Dynamins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D004705:Endocytosis; D036681:Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006835:Hydrazones / Q000494:pharmacology; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D021381:Protein Transport; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D015820:Cadherins; D006835:Hydrazones; C511794:N'-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-3-hydroxy-2-naphthahydrazide; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D034281:Dynamins