title: CLASP2 interacts with p120-catenin and governs microtubule dynamics at adherens junctions.
abstract: Classical cadherins and their connections with microtubules (MTs) are emerging as important determinants of cell adhesion. However, the functional relevance of such interactions and the molecular players that contribute to tissue architecture are still emerging. In this paper, we report that the MT plus end-binding protein CLASP2 localizes to adherens junctions (AJs) via direct interaction with p120-catenin (p120) in primary basal mouse keratinocytes. Reductions in the levels of p120 or CLASP2 decreased the localization of the other protein to cell-cell contacts and altered AJ dynamics and stability. These features were accompanied by decreased MT density and altered MT dynamics at intercellular junction sites. Interestingly, CLASP2 was enriched at the cortex of basal progenitor keratinocytes, in close localization to p120. Our findings suggest the existence of a new mechanism of MT targeting to AJs with potential functional implications in the maintenance of proper cell-cell adhesion in epidermal stem cells.
authors.affiliation: Epithelial Cell Biology Laboratory, BBVA (Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria) Foundation-CNIO (Spanish National Cancer Research Center) Cancer Cell Biology Program; and 2 Confocal Microscopy Unit, Biotechnology Program; CNIO, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Marta N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Shahbazi
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Megias
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Epifano
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akhmanova
authors.forename: Gregg G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Gundersen
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.forename: Mirna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perez-Moreno
mesh_terms: D022005:Adherens Junctions / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D051177:Catenins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D000095002:Delta Catenin
chemical_list: C506523:CLASP2 protein, mouse; D051177:Catenins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D000095002:Delta Catenin