Epithelial-specific isoforms of protein 4.1R promote adherens junction assembly in maturing epithelia.

ABSTRACT: Epithelial adherens junctions (AJs) and tight junctions (TJs) undergo disassembly and reassembly during morphogenesis and pathological states. The membrane-cytoskeleton interface plays a crucial role in junctional reorganization. Protein 4.1R (4.1R), expressed as a diverse array of spliceoforms, has been implicated in linking the AJ and TJ complex to the cytoskeleton. However, which specific 4.1 isoform(s) participate and the mechanisms involved in junctional stability or remodeling remain unclear. We now describe a role for epithelial-specific isoforms containing exon 17b and excluding exon 16 4.1R (4.1R^+17b) in AJs. 4.1R^+17b is exclusively co-localized with the AJs. 4.1R^+17b binds to the armadillo repeats 1-2 of β-catenin via its membrane-binding domain.

SUBMITTER: Huang SC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6952607 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature