Plectin-mediated cytoskeletal crosstalk controls cell tension and cohesion in epithelial sheets

Prechova M, Adamova Z, Schweizer AL, Maninova M, Bauer A, Kah DTE, Meier-Menches SM, Wiche G, Fabry B, Gregor M (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

The Journal of Cell Biology Rockefeller University Press

Book Volume: 221

Journal Issue: 3

DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202105146

Abstract

The coordinated interplay of cytoskeletal networks critically determines tissue biomechanics and structural integrity. Here, we show that plectin, a major intermediate filament-based cytolinker protein, orchestrates cortical cytoskeletal networks in epithelial sheets to support intercellular junctions. By combining CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing and pharmacological inhibition, we demonstrate that in an F-actin-dependent context, plectin is essential for the formation of the circumferential keratin rim, organization of radial keratin spokes, and desmosomal patterning. In the absence of plectin-mediated cytoskeletal cross-linking, the aberrant keratin-desmosome (DSM)-network feeds back to the actin cytoskeleton, which results in elevated actomyosin contractility. Also, by complementing a predictive mechanical model with Förster resonance energy transfer-based tension sensors, we provide evidence that in the absence of cytoskeletal cross-linking, major intercellular junctions (adherens junctions and DSMs) are under intrinsically generated tensile stress. Defective cytoarchitecture and tensional disequilibrium result in reduced intercellular cohesion, associated with general destabilization of plectin-deficient sheets upon mechanical stress.

Authors with CRIS profile

Delf-Thorge Eric Kah Lehrstuhl für Biophysik Ben Fabry Lehrstuhl für Biophysik

Involved external institutions

Institute of Molecular Genetics of the ASCR / Ústav molekulární genetiky AV ČR CZ Czech Republic (CZ) Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität (WWU) Münster DE Germany (DE) Universität Wien / University of Vienna AT Austria (AT)

How to cite

APA:

Prechova, M., Adamova, Z., Schweizer, A.L., Maninova, M., Bauer, A., Kah, D.-T.E.,... Gregor, M. (2022). Plectin-mediated cytoskeletal crosstalk controls cell tension and cohesion in epithelial sheets. The Journal of Cell Biology, 221(3). https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.202105146

MLA:

Prechova, Magdalena, et al. "Plectin-mediated cytoskeletal crosstalk controls cell tension and cohesion in epithelial sheets." The Journal of Cell Biology 221.3 (2022).

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