A WAVE2-Arp2/3 actin nucleator apparatus supports junctional tension at the epithelial zonula adherens
Date
2012
Authors
Verma, S.
Han, S.P.
Michael, M.
Gomez, G.A.
Yang, Z.
Teasdale, R.D.
Ratheesh, A.
Kovacs, E.M.
Ali, R.G.
Yap, A.S.
Editors
Hardin, J.D.
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Molecular Biology of the Cell, 2012; 23(23):4601-4610
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
Abstract
The epithelial zonula adherens (ZA) is a specialized adhesive junction where actin dynamics and myosin-driven contractility coincide. The junctional cytoskeleton is enriched in myosin II, which generates contractile force to support junctional tension. It is also enriched in dynamic actin filaments, which are replenished by ongoing actin assembly. In this study we sought to pursue the relationship between actin assembly and junctional contractility. We demonstrate that WAVE2-Arp2/3 is a major nucleator of actin assembly at the ZA and likely acts in response to junctional Rac signaling.
Furthermore, WAVE2-Arp2/3 is necessary for junctional integrity and contractile tension at the ZA. Maneuvers that disrupt the function of either WAVE2 or Arp2/3 reduced junctional tension and compromised the ability of cells to buffer side-to-side forces acting on the ZA. WAVE2-Arp2/3 disruption depleted junctions of both myosin IIA and IIB, suggesting that dynamic actin assembly may support junctional tension by facilitating the local recruitment of myosin.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Data source: Supplemental material, http://www.molbiolcell.org/content/suppl/2012/10/08/mbc.E12-08-0574v1.DC1
Access Status
Rights
Copyright 2012 Verma et al. This article is distributed by The American Society for Cell Biology under license from the author(s). Two months after publication it is available to the public under an Attribution–Noncommercial–Share Alike 3.0 Unported Creative Commons License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0). (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0)