The formation of ordered nanoclusters controls cadherin anchoring to actin and cell–cell contact fluidity

• DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201410111
• Publication Date: 2015-07-20T15:29:36Z
• Authors: Pierre-Olivier St...; Laurence Duchesne; Grégoire Peyret; Lorraine Montel; Thao Nguyen; Evelyn Png; Robert Tampé; Sergey Troyanovsky; Sylvie Hénon; Benoit Ladoux; René-Marc Mège
• Keywords: Adherens junction; Cell–cell interaction; Cell membrane

Oligomerization of cadherins could provide the stability to ensure tissue cohesion. Cadherins mediate cell–cell adhesion by forming trans-interactions. They form cis-interactions whose role be essential stabilize intercellular junctions shifting cadherin clusters from a fluid an ordered phase. However, no evidence has been provided so far for oligomerization in cellulo and its impact on contact stability. Visualizing single within cell membrane at nanometric resolution, we show that E-cadherins arrange clusters, providing first demonstration existence oligomeric contacts. Studying consequences disruption cis-interface, it is not adherens junction formation. Its disruption, however, increased mobility junctional E-cadherin. This destabilization strongly affected E-cadherin anchoring actin rearrangement during collective migration, indicating formation controls fluidity.