A Mechanoresponsive Cadherin-Keratin Complex Directs Polarized Protrusive Behavior and Collective Cell Migration

• Published in: Developmental cell Vol. 22; no. 1; pp. 104 - 115
• Main Authors: Weber, Gregory F., Bjerke, Maureen A., DeSimone, Douglas W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, MA Elsevier Inc 17.01.2012; Cell Press
• Subjects: Actins - metabolism; alpha Catenin - metabolism; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Blotting, Western; Cadherins - genetics; Cadherins - metabolism; Cell Adhesion - physiology; Cell Communication; Cell differentiation, maturation, development, hematopoiesis; Cell Membrane - metabolism; Cell Movement - physiology; Cell physiology; Cell Polarity; Cell Surface Extensions - physiology; Cells, Cultured; Cytoskeleton - metabolism; Embryo, Nonmammalian - cytology; Embryo, Nonmammalian - metabolism; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gamma Catenin - metabolism; Keratins - metabolism; Mechanotransduction, Cellular - physiology; Molecular and cellular biology; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger - genetics; Stress, Mechanical; Xenopus laevis - embryology; Xenopus laevis - metabolism; Xenopus Proteins - genetics; Xenopus Proteins - metabolism; Development; Keratin; Behavior; Cadherin; Cell migration; Cell adhesion molecule

Collective cell migration requires maintenance of adhesive contacts between adjacent cells, coordination of polarized cell protrusions, and generation of propulsive traction forces. We demonstrate that mechanical force applied locally to C-cadherins on single Xenopus mesendoderm cells is sufficient...