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Updated: Jul 24, 2026

Adhesion Frequency Assay for In Situ Kinetics Analysis of Cross-Junctional Molecular Interactions at the Cell-Cell Interface
Published on: November 2, 2011
Periodic adhesive fingers between contacting cells.
H Delanoë-Ayari1, P Lenz, J Brevier
1Laboratoire de spectrométrie physique (CNRS), UMR 5588, Université Joseph Fourier, Saint-Martin d'Hères, France.
Cellular "fingers" form in adherens junctions due to cadherin interactions and actin growth. Membrane tension limits finger growth, with shapes and kinetics matching theoretical models.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
- Adhesion Dynamics
Background:
- Adherens junctions mediate cell-cell adhesion.
- Periodic patterns, termed
- fingers
- , emerge at cell-cell contacts.
- These structures break contact symmetry.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the properties of cellular "fingers".
- Identify the molecular drivers of finger formation.
- Develop and validate a theoretical model for finger growth.
Main Methods:
- Experimental measurement of finger shape and formation kinetics.
- Theoretical modeling of finger growth dynamics.
- Analysis of cadherin interactions and actin polymerization.
Main Results:
- Finger formation is driven by cadherin interactions and actin growth.
- Membrane tension acts as a limiting factor for finger elongation.
- Experimental data aligns with theoretical predictions for finger shape and kinetics.
Conclusions:
- Cellular fingers are a result of interplay between molecular forces and physical constraints.
- The study provides a quantitative understanding of these complex cell-cell adhesion structures.
- The developed model accurately describes finger formation and steady-state morphology.
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