# Cadherin clusters and actin filaments

> **NIH NIH R01** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $380,148

## Abstract

One of the remarkable features of cadherin adhesion is its plasticity. This feature is crucial in normal
and pathological tissue remodeling. The long-term goal of this project is to define how cadherin-based
adhesion combines the strength that keeps cells together with the plasticity that allows for the fast
restructuring of cell-cell contacts.
Our recent results, outlined in this proposal, suggested a conceptually new model of adherens
junction assembly and functioning. We present strong evidence that the cooperative binding of the
cadherin-associated protein α-catenin to actin filaments continuously generates cadherin clusters
consisting of hundreds of molecules on the cell plasma membrane. The major feature of these
clusters is that they are short-lived and are not necessarily engaged in trans-interactions. At the same
time, they are highly adhesive because their adhesive interface is reinforced by the intracellular actin
scaffold. We propose that such transient, but highly adhesive clusters could be of the basis for the
adherens junction plasticity, allowing cells to readjust their junctions during morphogenetic processes.
Our preliminary data show that these clusters, their formation, dynamics, and structural characteristics
can be studied using advanced imaging techniques such as TIRF microscopy, speckle fluorescent
microscopy, single molecule localization microscopy, and platinum replica electron microscopy. In
conjunction with biophysical measurements and point mutagenesis, we will determine how actin
filaments use these highly adhesive cadherin clusters to manage intercellular adhesion.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9939283
- **Project number:** 5R01AR070166-05
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Sergey M Troyanovsky
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $380,148
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-07-01 → 2022-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9939283

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9939283, Cadherin clusters and actin filaments (5R01AR070166-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9939283. Licensed CC0.

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