{"id":{"repo_id":"uiuc","oai_identifier":"oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/109358"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/uiuc/oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/109358","repository":{"repo_id":"uiuc","name":"University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign","base_url":"https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh"},"display":{"title":"Reexamining actin polymerization in maintaining cadherin mediated cell-cell adhesion","abstract":"Inhibiting actin polymerization disrupts the cell-cell junction showing that continuous actin polymerization is required for maintaining tissue cohesion. The actin cytoskeleton maintains cell-cell cohesion by converting weak homophilic bonds between the cadherin cell adhesion molecules into strong adhesion. However, the most popular models to explain the role of actin at the junction do not require dynamic actin networks. According to these models, actin polymerization builds contractile actomyosin networks which pull on cadherins and strengthen the mechanosensitive bonds (the contractility model) or the fence around clusters of cadherins which mediate stronger adhesion than single cadherins (the clustering model). Actin polymerization could no doubt achieve these functions but what might be the most direct or evolutionarily primitive function of actin polymerization at junctions? Here I propose an alternative model which emphasizes on the most conceptually direct consequence of continuous actin polymerization: using the energy from ATP hydrolysis by the polymerization motor to drive plasma membrane protrusions; actin polymerization dependent, outwardly directed protrusive forces press the membranes of neighboring cells together in favor of cadherin homophilic binding. In Chapter 2, I show that filopodium-like actin microspikes protrude perpendicularly at the apical junction to deliver cadherins to where cadherins are missing on the neighboring cell, functioning as a repair mechanism for small defects in the otherwise continuous cadherin belt; myosin II contractility, contrary to the popular belief, actually destabilizes junctions. In Chapter 3, I show that interdigitated actin microspikes are engaged with one another through cadherin homophilic bonds at lateral junctions; patches of microspikes appear as micrometer sized cadherin puncta and are a stable form of junction in established epithelia, not only in newly forming tissues; molecular clustering of cadherins persists independently of actin polymerization and do not account for mesoscale cadherin puncta as long believed. Both apical and lateral microspikes depend on actin polymerization factors Arp2/3, EVL, and CRMP-1 and are antagonized by myosin II contractility. Lacking microspikes destabilizes apical and lateral junctions; lacking myosin II ATPase function has no such effect. My works explain why continuous actin polymerization is required for maintaining strong cadherin adhesion while myosin II contractility is dispensable. My works provide a parsimonious explanation for the continuous actin polymerization at junctions by invoking a process (fast, micron-sized membrane protrusion and retraction) that can be achieved by no other cellular apparatus than the dynamic actin cytoskeleton.","abstract_html":"Inhibiting actin polymerization disrupts the cell-cell junction showing that continuous actin polymerization is required for maintaining tissue cohesion. The actin cytoskeleton maintains cell-cell cohesion by converting weak homophilic bonds between the cadherin cell adhesion molecules into strong adhesion. However, the most popular models to explain the role of actin at the junction do not require dynamic actin networks. According to these models, actin polymerization builds contractile actomyosin networks which pull on cadherins and strengthen the mechanosensitive bonds (the contractility model) or the fence around clusters of cadherins which mediate stronger adhesion than single cadherins (the clustering model). Actin polymerization could no doubt achieve these functions but what might be the most direct or evolutionarily primitive function of actin polymerization at junctions? Here I propose an alternative model which emphasizes on the most conceptually direct consequence of continuous actin polymerization: using the energy from ATP hydrolysis by the polymerization motor to drive plasma membrane protrusions; actin polymerization dependent, outwardly directed protrusive forces press the membranes of neighboring cells together in favor of cadherin homophilic binding. In Chapter 2, I show that filopodium-like actin microspikes protrude perpendicularly at the apical junction to deliver cadherins to where cadherins are missing on the neighboring cell, functioning as a repair mechanism for small defects in the otherwise continuous cadherin belt; myosin II contractility, contrary to the popular belief, actually destabilizes junctions. In Chapter 3, I show that interdigitated actin microspikes are engaged with one another through cadherin homophilic bonds at lateral junctions; patches of microspikes appear as micrometer sized cadherin puncta and are a stable form of junction in established epithelia, not only in newly forming tissues; molecular clustering of cadherins persists independently of actin polymerization and do not account for mesoscale cadherin puncta as long believed. Both apical and lateral microspikes depend on actin polymerization factors Arp2/3, EVL, and CRMP-1 and are antagonized by myosin II contractility. Lacking microspikes destabilizes apical and lateral junctions; lacking myosin II ATPase function has no such effect. My works explain why continuous actin polymerization is required for maintaining strong cadherin adhesion while myosin II contractility is dispensable. My works provide a parsimonious explanation for the continuous actin polymerization at junctions by invoking a process (fast, micron-sized membrane protrusion and retraction) that can be achieved by no other cellular apparatus than the dynamic actin cytoskeleton.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Li, Xiaohe"],"institution":"University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign","degree_name":"Ph.D.","degree_level":"Dissertation","degree_discipline":"Cell and Developmental Biology","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Brieher, William M","Belmont, Andrew S","Chen, Jie","Leckband, Deborah E"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2021,"date_issued":"2021-03-05T21:36:56Z","date_published":"2021-03-05T21:36:56Z","updated_at":"2026-07-22T22:24:50Z","subjects":["Actin","Cadherin","Cell-cell adhesion","Cell Junction","myosin","clustering","filopodia","membrane"],"languages":["en"],"rights":["Copyright 2020 Xiaohe Li"],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"http://hdl.handle.net/2142/109358","outbound_label":"Handle","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Brieher, William M","Belmont, Andrew S","Chen, Jie","Leckband, Deborah E"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Li, Xiaohe"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date","label":"Dc Date","values":["2021-03-05T21:36:56Z","2020-11-13","2020-12"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["text","Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Cell and Developmental Biology"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Dissertation"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Ph.D."]},{"key":"thesis:institution_name","label":"Thesis Institution Name","values":["University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Actin","Cadherin","Cell-cell adhesion","Cell Junction","myosin","clustering","filopodia","membrane"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language","label":"Dc Language","values":["en"]},{"key":"dc:rights","label":"Dc Rights","values":["Copyright 2020 Xiaohe Li"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["http://hdl.handle.net/2142/109358"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description","label":"Description","values":["Inhibiting actin polymerization disrupts the cell-cell junction showing that continuous actin polymerization is required for maintaining tissue cohesion. The actin cytoskeleton maintains cell-cell cohesion by converting weak homophilic bonds between the cadherin cell adhesion molecules into strong adhesion. However, the most popular models to explain the role of actin at the junction do not require dynamic actin networks. According to these models, actin polymerization builds contractile actomyosin networks which pull on cadherins and strengthen the mechanosensitive bonds (the contractility model) or the fence around clusters of cadherins which mediate stronger adhesion than single cadherins (the clustering model). Actin polymerization could no doubt achieve these functions but what might be the most direct or evolutionarily primitive function of actin polymerization at junctions? Here I propose an alternative model which emphasizes on the most conceptually direct consequence of continuous actin polymerization: using the energy from ATP hydrolysis by the polymerization motor to drive plasma membrane protrusions; actin polymerization dependent, outwardly directed protrusive forces press the membranes of neighboring cells together in favor of cadherin homophilic binding. In Chapter 2, I show that filopodium-like actin microspikes protrude perpendicularly at the apical junction to deliver cadherins to where cadherins are missing on the neighboring cell, functioning as a repair mechanism for small defects in the otherwise continuous cadherin belt; myosin II contractility, contrary to the popular belief, actually destabilizes junctions. In Chapter 3, I show that interdigitated actin microspikes are engaged with one another through cadherin homophilic bonds at lateral junctions; patches of microspikes appear as micrometer sized cadherin puncta and are a stable form of junction in established epithelia, not only in newly forming tissues; molecular clustering of cadherins persists independently of actin polymerization and do not account for mesoscale cadherin puncta as long believed. Both apical and lateral microspikes depend on actin polymerization factors Arp2/3, EVL, and CRMP-1 and are antagonized by myosin II contractility. Lacking microspikes destabilizes apical and lateral junctions; lacking myosin II ATPase function has no such effect. My works explain why continuous actin polymerization is required for maintaining strong cadherin adhesion while myosin II contractility is dispensable. My works provide a parsimonious explanation for the continuous actin polymerization at junctions by invoking a process (fast, micron-sized membrane protrusion and retraction) that can be achieved by no other cellular apparatus than the dynamic actin cytoskeleton.","Submission original under an indefinite embargo labeled 'Open Access'. The submission was exported from vireo on 2021-03-04 without embargo terms","The student, Xiaohe Li, accepted the attached license on 2020-11-11 at 19:41.","The student, Xiaohe Li, submitted this Dissertation for approval on 2020-11-11 at 20:06.","This Dissertation was approved for publication on 2020-11-13 at 14:53.","DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #15875 on 2021-03-04 at 15:34:26","Made available in DSpace on 2021-03-05T21:36:56Z (GMT). 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The actin cytoskeleton maintains cell-cell cohesion by converting weak homophilic bonds between the cadherin cell adhesion molecules into strong adhesion. However, the most popular models to explain the role of actin at the junction do not require dynamic actin networks. According to these models, actin polymerization builds contractile actomyosin networks which pull on cadherins and strengthen the mechanosensitive bonds (the contractility model) or the fence around clusters of cadherins which mediate stronger adhesion than single cadherins (the clustering model). Actin polymerization could no doubt achieve these functions but what might be the most direct or evolutionarily primitive function of actin polymerization at junctions? Here I propose an alternative model which emphasizes on the most conceptually direct consequence of continuous actin polymerization: using the energy from ATP hydrolysis by the polymerization motor to drive plasma membrane protrusions; actin polymerization dependent, outwardly directed protrusive forces press the membranes of neighboring cells together in favor of cadherin homophilic binding. In Chapter 2, I show that filopodium-like actin microspikes protrude perpendicularly at the apical junction to deliver cadherins to where cadherins are missing on the neighboring cell, functioning as a repair mechanism for small defects in the otherwise continuous cadherin belt; myosin II contractility, contrary to the popular belief, actually destabilizes junctions. In Chapter 3, I show that interdigitated actin microspikes are engaged with one another through cadherin homophilic bonds at lateral junctions; patches of microspikes appear as micrometer sized cadherin puncta and are a stable form of junction in established epithelia, not only in newly forming tissues; molecular clustering of cadherins persists independently of actin polymerization and do not account for mesoscale cadherin puncta as long believed. Both apical and lateral microspikes depend on actin polymerization factors Arp2/3, EVL, and CRMP-1 and are antagonized by myosin II contractility. Lacking microspikes destabilizes apical and lateral junctions; lacking myosin II ATPase function has no such effect. My works explain why continuous actin polymerization is required for maintaining strong cadherin adhesion while myosin II contractility is dispensable. My works provide a parsimonious explanation for the continuous actin polymerization at junctions by invoking a process (fast, micron-sized membrane protrusion and retraction) that can be achieved by no other cellular apparatus than the dynamic actin cytoskeleton.","Submission original under an indefinite embargo labeled 'Open Access'. The submission was exported from vireo on 2021-03-04 without embargo terms","The student, Xiaohe Li, accepted the attached license on 2020-11-11 at 19:41.","The student, Xiaohe Li, submitted this Dissertation for approval on 2020-11-11 at 20:06.","This Dissertation was approved for publication on 2020-11-13 at 14:53.","DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #15875 on 2021-03-04 at 15:34:26","Made available in DSpace on 2021-03-05T21:36:56Z (GMT). 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