B-LINK: a hemicentin, plakin, and integrin-dependent adhesion system that links tissues by connecting adjacent basement membranes.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Basement membrane (BM), a sheet-like form of extracellular matrix, surrounds most tissues. During organogenesis, specific adhesions between adjoining tissues frequently occur; however, their molecular basis is unclear. Using live-cell imaging and electron microscopy, we identify an adhesion system that connects the uterine and gonadal tissues through their juxtaposed BMs at the site of anchor cell (AC) invasion in C. elegans. We find that the extracellular matrix component hemicentin (HIM-4), found between BMs, forms punctate accumulations under the AC and controls BM linkage to promote rapid invasion. Through targeted screening, we identify the integrin-binding cytolinker plakin (VAB-10A) and integrin (INA-1/PAT-3) as key BM-BM linkage regulators: VAB-10A localizes to the AC-BM interface and tethers hemicentin to the AC while integrin promotes hemicentin punctae formation. Together, plakin, integrin, and hemicentin are founding components of a cell-directed adhesion system, which we name a BM-LINKage (B-LINK), that connects adjacent tissues through adjoining BMs.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Morrissey, MA; Keeley, DP; Hagedorn, EJ; McClatchey, STH; Chi, Q; Hall, DH; Sherwood, DR

Published Date

  • November 2014

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 31 / 3

Start / End Page

  • 319 - 331

PubMed ID

  • 25443298

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC4254419

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1878-1551

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 1534-5807

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.devcel.2014.08.024

Language

  • eng