α-Catenin stabilises Cadherin-Catenin complexes and modulates actomyosin dynamics to allow pulsatile apical contraction.
We have investigated how cell contractility and adhesion are functionally integrated during epithelial morphogenesis. To this end, we have analysed the role of α-Catenin, a key molecule linking E-Cadherin-based adhesion and the actomyosin cytoskeleton, during Drosophila embryonic dorsal closure, by studying a newly developed allelic series. We find that α-Catenin regulates pulsatile apical contraction in the amnioserosa, the main force-generating tissue driving closure of the embryonic epidermis. α-Catenin controls actomyosin dynamics by stabilising and promoting the formation of actomyosin foci, and also stabilises DE-Cadherin (Drosophila E-Cadherin, also known as Shotgun) at the cell membrane, suggesting that medioapical actomyosin contractility regulates junction stability. Furthermore, we uncover a genetic interaction between α-Catenin and Vinculin, and a tension-dependent recruitment of Vinculin to amniosersoa apical cell membranes, suggesting the existence of a mechano-sensitive module operating in this tissue.
Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", CSIC-UAM, Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain.
Jaime
J
Jurado
European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK.
Joaquín
J
de Navascués
Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", CSIC-UAM, Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain ngorfinkiel@cbm.csic.es.
Nicole
0000-0002-6847-6721
N
Gorfinkiel
D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000205:Actomyosin / Q000378:metabolism*; D000483:Alleles; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D016764:Cell Polarity; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D016596:Vinculin / Q000378:metabolism; D051178:alpha Catenin / Q000378:metabolism*
D000199:Actins; D015820:Cadherins; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D051178:alpha Catenin; C081439:alpha-Cat protein, Drosophila; C501889:shg protein, Drosophila; D016596:Vinculin; D000205:Actomyosin
Actomyosin; Apical contraction; DE-Cadherin; Morphogenesis; Oscillation; Vinculin; α-Catenin