Sidekick Is a Key Component of Tricellular Adherens Junctions that Acts to Resolve Cell Rearrangements.

ABSTRACT: Tricellular adherens junctions are points of high tension that are central to the rearrangement of epithelial cells. However, the molecular composition of these junctions is unknown, making it difficult to assess their role in morphogenesis. Here, we show that Sidekick, an immunoglobulin family cell adhesion protein, is highly enriched at tricellular adherens junctions in Drosophila. This localization is modulated by tension, and Sidekick is itself necessary to maintain normal levels of cell bond tension. Loss of Sidekick causes defects in cell and junctional rearrangements in actively remodeling epithelial tissues like the retina and tracheal system. The adaptor proteins Polychaetoid and Canoe are enriched at tricellular adherens junctions in a Sidekick-dependent manner; Sidekick function

SUBMITTER: Letizia A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6748646 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature