Adherens junction-associated pores mediate the intercellular transport of endosomes and cytoplasmic proteins.

Intercellular endosomes (IEs) are endocytosed vesicles shuttled through the adherens junctions (AJs) between two neighboring epidermal cells during Drosophila dorsal closure. The cell-to-cell transport of IEs requires DE-cadherin (DE-cad), microtubules (MTs) and kinesin. However, the mechanisms by which IEs can be transported through the AJs are unknown.

Smurf Downregulates Echinoid in the Amnioserosa To Regulate Dorsal Closure.

dorsal closure is a morphogenetic movement that involves flanking epidermal cells, assembling actomyosin cables, and migrating dorsally over the underlying amnioserosa to seal at the dorsal midline. Echinoid (Ed)-a cell adhesion molecule of adherens junctions (AJs)-participates in several developmental processes. The disappearance of Ed from the amnioserosa is required to define the epidermal leading edge for actomyosin cable assembly and coordinated cell migration.

Novel transport function of adherens junction revealed by live imaging in Drosophila.

Adherens junctions are known for their role in mediating cell-cell adhesion. DE-cadherin and Echinoid are the principle adhesion molecules of adherens junctions in Drosophila epithelia. Here, using live imaging to trace the movement of endocytosed Echinoid vesicles in the epithelial cells of Drosophila embryos, we demonstrate that Echinoid vesicles co-localize and move with Rab5-or Rab11-positive endosomes.

Capulet and Slingshot share overlapping functions during Drosophila eye morphogenesis.

Background: CAP/Capulet (Capt), Slingshot (Ssh) and Cofilin/Twinstar (Tsr) are actin-binding proteins that restrict actin polymerization. Previously, it was shown that low resolution analyses of loss-of-function mutations in capt, ssh and tsr all show ectopic F-actin accumulation in various Drosophila tissues. In contrast, RNAi depletion of capt, tsr and ssh in Drosophila S2 cells all affect actin-based lamella formation differently.