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Remodeling of the adherens junctions during morphogenesis
Tamako Nishimura1, Masatoshi Takeichi
1RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan.
Current Topics in Developmental Biology
|September 10, 2009
Summary
Epithelial tissues reshape during development by altering cell shape and position. Adherens junctions dynamically regulate cell rearrangements, maintaining tissue integrity through mechanisms like cadherin interactions and recycling.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Epithelial morphogenesis involves cell layer reshaping (e.g., invagination, bending).
- Epithelial sheets maintain multicellular architecture during morphogenetic processes.
- Adherens junctions, crucial for cell adhesion, are composed of cadherins and F-actin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of the dynamic nature of adherens junctions.
- To explore mechanisms enabling cell rearrangement within epithelial sheets.
- To summarize in vitro and in vivo analyses of adherens junction dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cadherin-actin cytoskeleton interactions.
- Investigation of cadherin endocytosis and recycling pathways.
- Examination of cadherin cooperation with other adhesion receptors.
Main Results:
- Adherens junctions are dynamic, facilitating cell rearrangement.
- Cadherin interactions with the actin cytoskeleton are key to junctional dynamics.
- Endocytosis and recycling of cadherins contribute to cell repositioning.
Conclusions:
- Adherens junction dynamics are essential for epithelial morphogenesis.
- Multiple molecular mechanisms underpin the adaptability of cell-cell adhesion.
- Understanding these dynamics is crucial for tissue development and regeneration.
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