scholarly journals Cell Biology: A Tense but Good Day for Actin at Cell–Cell Junctions

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (15) ◽  
pp. R688-R690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie H. Nowotarski ◽  
Mark Peifer
Keyword(s):  
Cell Biology ◽  
Cell Junctions ◽  
Cell Cell

scholarly journals Desmosomal Molecules In and Out of Adhering Junctions: Normal and Diseased States of Epidermal, Cardiac and Mesenchymally Derived Cells

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Pieperhoff ◽  
Mareike Barth ◽  
Steffen Rickelt ◽  
Werner W. Franke
Keyword(s):  
Cell Biology ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cell Junctions ◽  
Surface Molecules ◽  
Transmembrane Glycoprotein ◽  
Current Cell ◽  
Plakophilin 2 ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Adhering Junctions ◽  
Cell Cell

Current cell biology textbooks mention only two kinds of cell-to-cell adhering junctions coated with the cytoplasmic plaques: the desmosomes (maculae adhaerentes), anchoring intermediate-sized filaments (IFs), and the actin microfilament-anchoring adherens junctions (AJs), including both punctate (puncta adhaerentia) and elongate (fasciae adhaerentes) structures. In addition, however, a series of other junction types has been identified and characterized which contain desmosomal molecules but do not fit the definition of desmosomes. Of these special cell-cell junctions containing desmosomal glycoproteins or proteins we review the composite junctions (areae compositae) connecting the cardiomyocytes of mature mammalian hearts and their importance in relation to human arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies. We also emphasize the various plakophilin-2-positive plaques in AJs (coniunctiones adhaerentes) connecting proliferatively active mesenchymally-derived cells, including interstitial cells of the heart and several soft tissue tumor cell types. Moreover, desmoplakin has also been recognized as a constituent of the plaques of thecomplexus adhaerentesconnecting certain lymphatic endothelial cells. Finally, we emphasize the occurrence of the desmosomal transmembrane glycoprotein, desmoglein Dsg2, out of the context of any junction as dispersed cell surface molecules in certain types of melanoma cells and melanocytes. This broadening of our knowledge on the diversity of AJ structures indicates that it may still be too premature to close the textbook chapters on cell-cell junctions.

scholarly journals Mechanical heterogeneity along single cell-cell junctions is driven by lateral clustering of cadherins during vertebrate axis elongation

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J Huebner ◽  
Abdul Naseer Malmi-Kakkada ◽  
Sena Sarikaya ◽  
Shinuo Weng ◽  
D Thirumalai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Biology ◽  
Planar Cell Polarity ◽  
Protein Localization ◽  
Tissue Level ◽  
Cell Junctions ◽  
Convergent Extension ◽  
Length Scales ◽  
Mechanical Heterogeneity ◽  
Multiple Length Scales ◽  
Cell Cell

Morphogenesis is governed by the interplay of molecular signals and mechanical forces across multiple length scales. The last decade has seen tremendous advances in our understanding of the dynamics of protein localization and turnover at sub-cellular length scales, and at the other end of the spectrum, of mechanics at tissue-level length scales. Integrating the two remains a challenge, however, because we lack a detailed understanding of the subcellular patterns of mechanical properties of cells within tissues. Here, in the context of the elongating body axis of Xenopus embryos, we combine tools from cell biology and physics to demonstrate that individual cell-cell junctions display finely-patterned local mechanical heterogeneity along their length. We show that such local mechanical patterning is essential for the cell movements of convergent extension and is imparted by locally patterned clustering of a classical cadherin. Finally, the patterning of cadherins and thus local mechanics along cell-cell junctions are controlled by Planar Cell Polarity signaling, a key genetic module for CE that is mutated in diverse human birth defects.

scholarly journals Mechanical heterogeneity along single cell-cell junctions is driven by lateral clustering of cadherins during vertebrate axis elongation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Huebner ◽  
Abdul Naseer Malmi-Kakkada ◽  
Sena Sarikaya ◽  
Shinuo Weng ◽  
D. Thirumalai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Biology ◽  
Planar Cell Polarity ◽  
Protein Localization ◽  
Tissue Level ◽  
Cell Junctions ◽  
Convergent Extension ◽  
Length Scales ◽  
Mechanical Heterogeneity ◽  
Multiple Length Scales ◽  
Cell Cell

AbstractMorphogenesis is governed by the interplay of molecular signals and mechanical forces across multiple length scales. The last decade has seen tremendous advances in our understanding of the dynamics of protein localization and turnover at sub-cellular length scales, and at the other end of the spectrum, of mechanics at tissue-level length scales. Integrating the two remains a challenge, however, because we lack a detailed understanding of the subcellular patterns of mechanical properties of cells within tissues. Here, in the context of the elongating body axis of a vertebrate embryo, we combine tools from cell biology and physics to demonstrate that individual cell-cell junctions display finely-patterned local mechanical heterogeneity along their length. We show that such local mechanical patterning is essential for the cell movements of convergent extension and is imparted by locally patterned clustering of a classical cadherin. Finally, the patterning of cadherins and thus local mechanics along cell-cell junctions are controlled by Planar Cell Polarity signaling, a key genetic module for CE that is mutated in diverse human birth defects.

Spatially Selective Imaging of Cell‐Matrix and Cell‐Cell Junctions by Electrochemiluminescence

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Ding ◽  
Ping Zhou ◽  
Wenxuan Fu ◽  
Lurong Ding ◽  
Weiliang Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Junctions ◽  
Cell Matrix ◽  
Cell Cell

scholarly journals Enhanced Piezoelectric Fibered Extracellular Matrix to Promote Cardiomyocyte Maturation and Tissue Formation: A 3D Computational Model

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 135
Author(s):  
Pau Urdeitx ◽  
Mohamed H. Doweidar
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Cell Migration ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Cell Junctions ◽  
Tissue Formation ◽  
Cardiac Muscle Cells ◽  
Cell Processes ◽  
Electrical Stimuli ◽  
Cell Cell

Mechanical and electrical stimuli play a key role in tissue formation, guiding cell processes such as cell migration, differentiation, maturation, and apoptosis. Monitoring and controlling these stimuli on in vitro experiments is not straightforward due to the coupling of these different stimuli. In addition, active and reciprocal cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix interactions are essential to be considered during formation of complex tissue such as myocardial tissue. In this sense, computational models can offer new perspectives and key information on the cell microenvironment. Thus, we present a new computational 3D model, based on the Finite Element Method, where a complex extracellular matrix with piezoelectric properties interacts with cardiac muscle cells during the first steps of tissue formation. This model includes collective behavior and cell processes such as cell migration, maturation, differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. The model has employed to study the initial stages of in vitro cardiac aggregate formation, considering cell–cell junctions, under different extracellular matrix configurations. Three different cases have been purposed to evaluate cell behavior in fibered, mechanically stimulated fibered, and mechanically stimulated piezoelectric fibered extra-cellular matrix. In this last case, the cells are guided by the coupling of mechanical and electrical stimuli. Accordingly, the obtained results show the formation of more elongated groups and enhancement in cell proliferation.

scholarly journals Angiomotin Regulates Endothelial Cell-Cell Junctions and Cell Motility

2005 ◽  
Vol 280 (41) ◽  
pp. 34859-34869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders Bratt ◽  
Olivier Birot ◽  
Indranil Sinha ◽  
Niina Veitonmäki ◽  
Karin Aase ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Cell Motility ◽  
Cell Junctions ◽  
Cell Cell

Plakoglobin expression and localization in zebrafish embryo development

2004 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 797-798 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.D. Martin ◽  
M. Grealy
Keyword(s):  
Confocal Microscopy ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Western Blotting ◽  
Protein Level ◽  
Adherens Junctions ◽  
Cell Junctions ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Heart Chamber ◽  
Heart Region ◽  
Cell Cell

Plakoglobin (γ-catenin) and β-catenin are major components of the adherens junctions and can be localized to the nucleus by activation of the Wnt signalling pathway. In addition, plakoglobin is also found in desmosomes, a vertebrate-specific cell–cell adhesion structure. Plakoglobin expression and localization were examined at the protein level during zebrafish embryonic development by Western blotting and confocal microscopy. Plakoglobin was expressed throughout embryo development at the protein level. Western blotting revealed that embryonic plakoglobin protein content increased between 12- and 24-h post-fertilization (hpf). Confocal microscopy showed that at stages up to 12 hpf, plakoglobin and β-catenin were co-localized and expressed in both the nucleus and in cell–cell junctions. At 24- and 72-hpf, separate patterns were seen for plakoglobin and β-catenin. These data indicate that plakoglobin localization in the heart region shifts from adherens junctions to desmosomes during heart chamber development.

scholarly journals Cellular dynamics of EMT: lessons from live in vivo imaging of embryonic development

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey D. Amack
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Embryonic Development ◽  
In Vivo Imaging ◽  
Cytoskeletal Proteins ◽  
Cell Junctions ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Cellular Dynamics ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Cell Cell

AbstractEpithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) refers to a process in which epithelial cells lose apical-basal polarity and loosen cell–cell junctions to take on mesenchymal cell morphologies and invasive properties that facilitate migration through extracellular matrix. EMT—and the reverse mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET)—are evolutionarily conserved processes that are used throughout embryonic development to drive tissue morphogenesis. During adult life, EMT is activated to close wounds after injury, but also can be used by cancers to promote metastasis. EMT is controlled by several mechanisms that depend on context. In response to cell–cell signaling and/or interactions with the local environment, cells undergoing EMT make rapid changes in kinase and adaptor proteins, adhesion and extracellular matrix molecules, and gene expression. Many of these changes modulate localization, activity, or expression of cytoskeletal proteins that mediate cell shape changes and cell motility. Since cellular changes during EMT are highly dynamic and context-dependent, it is ideal to analyze this process in situ in living organisms. Embryonic development of model organisms is amenable to live time-lapse microscopy, which provides an opportunity to watch EMT as it happens. Here, with a focus on functions of the actin cytoskeleton, I review recent examples of how live in vivo imaging of embryonic development has led to new insights into mechanisms of EMT. At the same time, I highlight specific developmental processes in model embryos—gastrulation in fly and mouse embryos, and neural crest cell development in zebrafish and frog embryos—that provide in vivo platforms for visualizing cellular dynamics during EMT. In addition, I introduce Kupffer’s vesicle in the zebrafish embryo as a new model system to investigate EMT and MET. I discuss how these systems have provided insights into the dynamics of adherens junction remodeling, planar cell polarity signaling, cadherin functions, and cytoskeletal organization during EMT, which are not only important for understanding development, but also cancer progression. These findings shed light on mechanisms of actin cytoskeletal dynamics during EMT, and feature live in vivo imaging strategies that can be exploited in future work to identify new mechanisms of EMT and MET.

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