Adhesion molecules hold cells together but also couple cell membranes to a contractile actomyosin network, which limits the expansion of cell contacts. Despite their fundamental role in tissue morphogenesis and tissue homeostasis, how adhesion molecules control cell shapes and cell patterns in tissues remains unclear. Here we address this question in vivo using the Drosophila eye. We show that cone cell shapes depend little on adhesion bonds and mostly on contractile forces. However, N-cadherin has an indirect control on cell shape. At homotypic contacts, junctional N-cadherin bonds downregulate Myosin-II contractility. At heterotypic contacts with E-cadherin, unbound N-cadherin induces an asymmetric accumulation of Myosin-II, which leads to a highly contractile cell interface. Such differential regulation of contractility is essential for morphogenesis as loss of N-cadherin disrupts cell rearrangements. Our results establish a quantitative link between adhesion and contractility and reveal an unprecedented role of N-cadherin on cell shapes and cell arrangements.
Pubmed ID: 28537220 RIS Download
Publication data is provided by the National Library of Medicine ® and PubMed ®. Data is retrieved from PubMed ® on a weekly schedule. For terms and conditions see the National Library of Medicine Terms and Conditions.
Software package as distribution of ImageJ and ImageJ2 together with Java, Java3D and plugins organized into coherent menu structure. Used to assist research in life sciences.
View all literature mentionsSoftware tool for automated microscope acquisition, device control, and image analysis. Used for integrating dissimilar fluorescent microscope hardware and peripherals into a single custom workstation, while providing all the tools needed to perform analysis of acquired images. Offers user friendly application modules for analysis such as cell signaling, cell counting, and protein expression.
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets Phospho-Myosin Light Chain 2 (Ser19)
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets Flamingo (starry night)
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets Mouse Drosophila Armadillo Protein
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets cadherin, DE- (extracellular domain)
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets cadherin, DN- (extracellular domain)
View all literature mentionsDrosophila melanogaster with name y[1] w[*]; TI{TI}shg[GFP] from BDSC.
View all literature mentionsDrosophila melanogaster with name w[*] sqh[AX3] P{ry[+t7.2]=neoFRT}19A/FM7c from BDSC.
View all literature mentionsDrosophila melanogaster with name w[*]; P{w[+mC]=UASp-sqh.E20E21}3 from BDSC.
View all literature mentionsDrosophila melanogaster with name w[1118]; PBac{544.SVS-1}zip[CPTI100036] from DGGR.
View all literature mentions