α2β1 integrins spatially restrict Cdc42 activity to stabilise adherens junctions

TY - JOUR

T1 - α2β1 integrins spatially restrict Cdc42 activity to stabilise adherens junctions

AU - Howden, Jake D.

AU - Michael, Magdalene

AU - Hight-Warburton, Willow

AU - Parsons, Maddy

N1 - Copyright: This record is sourced from MEDLINE/PubMed, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine

PY - 2021/6/23

Y1 - 2021/6/23

N2 - BACKGROUND: Keratinocytes form the main protective barrier in the skin to separate the underlying tissue from the external environment. In order to maintain this barrier, keratinocytes form robust junctions between neighbouring cells as well as with the underlying extracellular matrix. Cell-cell adhesions are mediated primarily through cadherin receptors, whereas the integrin family of transmembrane receptors is predominantly associated with assembly of matrix adhesions. Integrins have been shown to also localise to cell-cell adhesions, but their role at these sites remains unclear. RESULTS: Here we show that α2β1 integrins are enriched at mature keratinocyte cell-cell adhesions, where they play a crucial role in organising cytoskeletal networks to stabilize adherens junctions. Loss of α2β1 integrin has significant functional phenotypes associated with cell-cell adhesion destabilisation, including increased proliferation, reduced migration and impaired barrier function. Mechanistically, we show that α2β1 integrins suppress activity of Src and Shp2 at cell-cell adhesions leading to enhanced Cdc42-GDI interactions and stabilisation of junctions between neighbouring epithelial cells. CONCLUSION: Our data reveals a new role for α2β1 integrins in controlling integrity of epithelial cell-cell adhesions.

AB - BACKGROUND: Keratinocytes form the main protective barrier in the skin to separate the underlying tissue from the external environment. In order to maintain this barrier, keratinocytes form robust junctions between neighbouring cells as well as with the underlying extracellular matrix. Cell-cell adhesions are mediated primarily through cadherin receptors, whereas the integrin family of transmembrane receptors is predominantly associated with assembly of matrix adhesions. Integrins have been shown to also localise to cell-cell adhesions, but their role at these sites remains unclear. RESULTS: Here we show that α2β1 integrins are enriched at mature keratinocyte cell-cell adhesions, where they play a crucial role in organising cytoskeletal networks to stabilize adherens junctions. Loss of α2β1 integrin has significant functional phenotypes associated with cell-cell adhesion destabilisation, including increased proliferation, reduced migration and impaired barrier function. Mechanistically, we show that α2β1 integrins suppress activity of Src and Shp2 at cell-cell adhesions leading to enhanced Cdc42-GDI interactions and stabilisation of junctions between neighbouring epithelial cells. CONCLUSION: Our data reveals a new role for α2β1 integrins in controlling integrity of epithelial cell-cell adhesions.

KW - Beta-catenin

KW - Cdc42

KW - Cell–cell adhesion

KW - Cytoskeleton

KW - E-cadherin

KW - Epithelial cells

KW - Integrins

KW - Migration

KW - Proliferation

KW - RhoGDI

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85109059374&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1186/s12915-021-01054-9

DO - 10.1186/s12915-021-01054-9

M3 - Article

C2 - 34158053

AN - SCOPUS:85109059374

SN - 1741-7007

VL - 19

SP - 130

JO - BMC Biology

JF - BMC Biology

IS - 1

ER -