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Traction Microscopy Integrated with Microfluidics for Chemotactic Collective Migration
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Adherens junction treadmilling during collective migration.

Florent Peglion1, Flora Llense2, Sandrine Etienne-Manneville2

  • 11] Institut Pasteur - CNRS URA 2582, Cell Polarity, Migration and Cancer Unit, 25 rue du Dr Roux 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France [2] Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Cellule Pasteur UPMC, rue du Dr Roux Paris 75015, France.

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|June 16, 2014
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Adherens junctions (AJs) exhibit continuous treadmilling during collective cell migration, driven by actin and N-cadherin recycling. This process is regulated by p120-catenin phosphorylation, impacting cell polarity and migration speed.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Collective cell migration is crucial for development and disease.
  • Adherens junctions (AJs) are vital for maintaining cell group integrity and coordination during migration.
  • The dynamic behavior of AJs is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the dynamics of Adherens junctions (AJs) during collective cell migration.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms regulating AJ turnover and stability.
  • To understand the role of N-cadherin and p120-catenin in cell migration polarity.

Main Methods:

  • Live imaging microscopy of migrating cells.
  • Fluorescent tagging and tracking of N-cadherin and p120-catenin.
  • Perturbation studies involving genetic manipulation and small molecule inhibitors (GSK3).
  • Quantification of AJ movement, internalization, and recycling.

Main Results:

  • Adherens junctions (AJs) exhibit treadmilling dynamics along the lateral sides of leading cells.
  • This treadmilling is driven by actin-dependent rearward movement and polarized N-cadherin recycling.
  • N-cadherin is internalized at the cell rear and re-inserted at the leading edge.
  • A front-to-rear gradient of p120-catenin phosphorylation controls N-cadherin trafficking.
  • Disruption of p120-catenin phosphorylation by GSK3 affects AJ stability and cell migration polarity/speed.

Conclusions:

  • Adherens junctions (AJs) undergo continuous treadmilling, a key mechanism for collective cell migration.
  • Polarized N-cadherin recycling, regulated by p120-catenin phosphorylation, is essential for AJ dynamics and cell coordination.
  • Targeting AJ dynamics offers potential therapeutic strategies for diseases involving cell migration.