Nanoscale dynamics of the cadherin-catenin complex bound to vinculin revealed by neutron spin echo spectroscopy.

ABSTRACT: We report a neutron spin echo (NSE) study of the nanoscale dynamics of the cell-cell adhesion cadherin-catenin complex bound to vinculin. Our measurements and theoretical physics analyses of the NSE data reveal that the dynamics of full-length α-catenin, β-catenin, and vinculin residing in the cadherin-catenin-vinculin complex become activated, involving nanoscale motions in this complex. The cadherin-catenin complex is the central component of the cell-cell adherens junction (AJ) and is fundamental to embryogenesis, tissue wound healing, neuronal plasticity, cancer metastasis, and cardiovascular health and disease. A highly dynamic cadherin-catenin-vinculin complex provides the molecular dynamics basis for the flexibility and elasticity that are necessary for the AJs to function as force

SUBMITTER: Callaway DJE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11441495 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature