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A migrating cell changes its shape during the cyclic events of attachment and detachment from the substratum and repositions the cell organelles correspondingly. These complex events are orchestrated by the dynamic cytoskeletal network comprising actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Cytoskeletal crosstalk — the direct and indirect communication between the different components — is crucial for this coordination. Direct communication involves various linker...
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Supracellular actomyosin assemblies: master coordinators of development.

Katja Röper1,2

  • 1Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB3 3DY, UK.

Development (Cambridge, England)
|August 26, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Actomyosin networks in epithelial cells form supracellular structures crucial for organ development. These large-scale assemblies organize cell shape, adhesion, and tissue integrity across species.

Keywords:
ActomyosinCableEpithelial cellsMorphogenesisSupracellular

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Actomyosin networks are fundamental for biological movement, powering muscle contraction and cellular processes.
  • In epithelial cells, actomyosin supports cell shape and adhesion at junctions, maintaining tissue integrity.
  • Recent findings reveal apical actomyosin organizing into supracellular networks spanning multiple cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the formation and function of supracellular actomyosin structures in epithelial development.
  • To explore the tissues and developmental roles of these conserved assemblies.
  • To highlight current knowledge gaps regarding components and emergent properties.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on actomyosin networks and supracellular structures.
  • Analysis of studies characterizing these assemblies in various model organisms, notably Drosophila.
  • Synthesis of evidence on formation, function, and conservation.

Main Results:

  • Supracellular actomyosin assemblies form either interlinked apical-medial networks or linear cables at adherens junctions.
  • These structures are conserved across evolution and play roles in epithelial development.
  • Their functions include supporting cell shape, cell-cell adhesion, and epithelial tightness.

Conclusions:

  • Supracellular actomyosin networks are critical for epithelial organogenesis.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand their molecular components and emergent properties.
  • These structures represent a conserved mechanism for large-scale cellular organization during development.