Regulation of adherens junction dynamics by phosphorylation switches

Cristina Bertocchi, Megha Vaman Rao, Ronen Zaidel-Bar

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Adherens junctions connect the actin cytoskeleton of neighboring cells through transmembrane cadherin receptors and a network of adaptor proteins. The interactions between these adaptors and cadherin as well as the activity of actin regulators localized to adherens junctions are tightly controlled to facilitate cell junction assembly or disassembly in response to changes in external or internal forces and/or signaling. Phosphorylation of tyrosine, serine, or threonine residues acts as a switch on the majority of adherens junction proteins, turning "on" or "off" their interactions with other proteins and/or their enzymatic activity. Here, we provide an overview of the kinases and phosphatases regulating phosphorylation of adherens junction proteins and bring examples of phosphorylation events leading to the assembly or disassembly of adherens junctions, highlighting the important role of phosphorylation switches in regulating their dynamics.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)125295
JournalJournal of Signal Transduction
Volume2012
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Regulation of adherens junction dynamics by phosphorylation switches'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this