Distinct contributions of tensile and shear stress on E-cadherin levels during morphogenesis

作者：Girish R. Kale, Xingbo Yang, Jean‐Marc Philippe, Madhav Mani, Pierre‐François Lenne, Thomas Lecuit · 发表于：Nature Communications · 年份：2018 · DOI：10.1038/s41467-018-07448-8 · 被引用次数：154 · 研究领域：Cellular Mechanics and Interactions、Microtubule and mitosis dynamics、Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications

During epithelial morphogenesis, cell contacts (junctions) are constantly remodeled by mechanical forces that work against adhesive forces. E-cadherin complexes play a pivotal role in this process by providing persistent cell adhesion and by transmitting mechanical tension. In this context, it is unclear how mechanical forces affect E-cadherin adhesion and junction dynamics. During Drosophila embryo axis elongation, Myosin-II activity in the apico-medial and junctional cortex generates mechanical forces to drive junction remodeling. Here we report that the ratio between Vinculin and E-cadherin intensities acts as a ratiometric readout for these mechanical forces (load) at E-cadherin complexes. Medial Myosin-II loads E-cadherin complexes on all junctions, exerts tensile forces, and increases levels of E-cadherin. Junctional Myosin-II, on the other hand, biases the distribution of load between junctions of the same cell, exerts shear forces, and decreases the levels of E-cadherin. This work suggests distinct effects of tensile versus shear stresses on E-cadherin adhesion.