Title: The adherens junction protein α-catenin regulates tissue growth
Abstract: α-catenin is a mechanosensory adherens junction (AJ) component linking E-cadherin to F-actin. In addition to adhesion, α-catenin regulates tissue growth. Mammalian studies identified α-catenin as a tumour suppressor, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. I investigated α-catenin’s role in growth regulation in Drosophila wings and found that the Hippo and JNK pathways are activated downstream of α-catenin downregulation or overexpression. α-catenin’s growth and adhesion functions can be uncoupled: high levels are required for growth regulation, whereas minimal levels suffice for adhesion and epithelial integrity. α-catenin recruits Jub, a negative regulator of Hippo signaling, to the AJs through its N-region. Although the mechanosensory M-region of α-catenin is dispensable for wing growth and adhesion, I found that the M1-domain suppresses Jub junctional recruitment and growth. This work shows that α- catenin acts as an AJ protein to restrict tissue growth at least in part through modulating the recruitment of Jub to AJs.%%%%M.Sc.%%%%2020-11-15 00:00:00
Publication Year: 2018
Publication Date: 2018-11-01
Language: en
Type: dissertation
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