E-cadherin focuses protrusion formation at the front of migrating cells by impeding actin flow

Cecilia Grimaldi, Isabel Schumacher, Aleix Boquet-Pujadas, Katsiaryna Tarbashevich, Bart Eduard Vos, Jan Bandemer, Jan Schick, Anne Aalto, Jean-Christophe Olivo-Marin, Timo Betz and Erez Raz ()
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Cecilia Grimaldi: University of Münster
Isabel Schumacher: University of Münster
Aleix Boquet-Pujadas: Bioimage Analysis Unit
Katsiaryna Tarbashevich: University of Münster
Bart Eduard Vos: University of Münster
Jan Bandemer: University of Münster
Jan Schick: University of Münster
Anne Aalto: University of Münster
Jean-Christophe Olivo-Marin: Bioimage Analysis Unit
Timo Betz: University of Münster
Erez Raz: University of Münster

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract The migration of many cell types relies on the formation of actomyosin-dependent protrusions called blebs, but the mechanisms responsible for focusing this kind of protrusive activity to the cell front are largely unknown. Here, we employ zebrafish primordial germ cells (PGCs) as a model to study the role of cell-cell adhesion in bleb-driven single-cell migration in vivo. Utilizing a range of genetic, reverse genetic and mathematical tools, we define a previously unknown role for E-cadherin in confining bleb-type protrusions to the leading edge of the cell. We show that E-cadherin-mediated frictional forces impede the backwards flow of actomyosin-rich structures that define the domain where protrusions are preferentially generated. In this way, E-cadherin confines the bleb-forming region to a restricted area at the cell front and reinforces the front-rear axis of migrating cells. Accordingly, when E-cadherin activity is reduced, the bleb-forming area expands, thus compromising the directional persistence of the cells.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19114-z

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