title: Three mechanisms control E-cadherin localization to the zonula adherens.
abstract: E-cadherin localization to the zonula adherens is fundamental for epithelial differentiation but the mechanisms controlling localization are unclear. Using the Drosophila follicular epithelium we genetically dissect E-cadherin transport in an in vivo model. We distinguish three mechanisms mediating E-cadherin accumulation at the zonula adherens. Two membrane trafficking pathways deliver newly synthesized E-cadherin to the plasma membrane. One is Rab11 dependent and targets E-cadherin directly to the zonula adherens, while the other transports E-cadherin to the lateral membrane. Lateral E-cadherin reaches the zonula adherens by endocytosis and targeted recycling. We show that this pathway is dependent on RabX1, which provides a functional link between early and recycling endosomes. Moreover, we show that lateral E-cadherin is transported to the zonula adherens by an apically directed flow within the plasma membrane. Differential activation of these pathways could facilitate cell shape changes during morphogenesis, while their misregulation compromises cell adhesion and tissue architecture in differentiated epithelia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Division of Signaling and Functional Genomics at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Ludolf-Krehl-Strasse 13-17, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Innokenty
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Woichansky
authors.affiliation: Heidelberg University, COS and Nikon Imaging Center at the University of Heidelberg, Bioquant, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.|Excellenzcluster CellNetworks, University of Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Carlo Antonio
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Beretta
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Division of Signaling and Functional Genomics at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Ludolf-Krehl-Strasse 13-17, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Berns
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Division of Signaling and Functional Genomics at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Ludolf-Krehl-Strasse 13-17, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Veit
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Riechmann
mesh_terms: D022005:Adherens Junctions / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D004330:Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004705:Endocytosis / Q000235:genetics; D011992:Endosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000235:genetics*; D020691:rab GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D020696:rab5 GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D000099193:rab11 GTP-Binding Proteins
chemical_list: D015820:Cadherins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D020691:rab GTP-Binding Proteins; D020696:rab5 GTP-Binding Proteins; C559123:Rab11 protein, Drosophila; D000099193:rab11 GTP-Binding Proteins; C000609355:RabX1 protein, Drosophila; C586289:Rab5 protein, Drosophila