γ-Secretase-dependent cleavage of E-cadherin by staurosporine in breast cancer cells

E-cadherin is a transmembrane protein that serves as a cell adhesion molecule component of the adherens junction. We previously showed that cadmium induced γ-secretase-dependent E-cadherin cleavage via oxidative stress. In this study, we report that staurosporine (STS)-induced apoptosis induces caspase-2 and/or -8-dependent E-cadherin cleavage. STS increased γ-secretase-dependent cleavage of E-cadherin in breast cancer cells through caspase activation. The ability of the γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT and the caspase inhibitor zVAD-FMK to block E-cadherin cleavage provided support for these results. The cleavage of E-cadherin was blocked by caspase-2 and -8 inhibitors. Immunofluorescence analysis confirmed that, along with the disappearance of E-cadherin staining at the cell surface, the E-cadherin cytoplasmic domain accumulated in the cytosol. In the presence of an inhibitor of γ-secretase or caspase, the cleavage of E-cadherin was partially blocked. Our findings suggest that activation of caspase-2/-8 stimulated the disruption of cadherin-mediated cell-cell contacts in apoptotic cells via γ-secretase activation.     

γ-Secretase-Dependent Cleavage of E-Cadherin by Staurosporine in Breast Cancer Cells

E-cadherin is a transmembrane protein that serves as a cell adhesion molecule component of the adherens junction. We previously showed that cadmium induced γ-secretase-dependent E-cadherin cleavage via oxidative stress. In this study, we report that staurosporine (STS)-induced apoptosis induces caspase-2 and/or -8-dependent E-cadherin cleavage. STS increased γ-secretase-dependent cleavage of E-cadherin in breast cancer cells through caspase activation. The ability of the γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT and the caspase inhibitor zVAD-FMK to block E-cadherin cleavage provided support for these results. The cleavage of E-cadherin was blocked by caspase-2 and -8 inhibitors. Immunofluorescence analysis confirmed that, along with the disappearance of E-cadherin staining at the cell surface, the E-cadherin cytoplasmic domain accumulated in the cytosol. In the presence of an inhibitor of γ-secretase or caspase, the cleavage of E-cadherin was partially blocked. Our findings suggest that activation of caspase-2/-8 stimulated the disruption of cadherin-mediated cell–cell contacts in apoptotic cells via γ-secretase activation.     

Differential regulation of junctional complex assembly in renal epithelial cell lines

Several signaling pathways that regulate tight junction and adherens junction assembly are being characterized. Calpeptin activates stress fiber assembly in fibroblasts by inhibiting SH2-containing phosphatase-2 (SHP-2), thereby activating Rho-GTPase signaling. Here, we have examined the effects of calpeptin on stress fiber and junctional complex assembly in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) and LLC-PK epithelial cells. Calpeptin induced disassembly of stress fibers and inhibition of Rho GTPase activity in MDCK cells. Interestingly, calpeptin augmented stress fiber formation in LLC-PK epithelial cells. Calpeptin treatment of MDCK cells resulted in a displacement of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin from cell-cell junctions and a loss of phosphotyrosine on ZO-1 and ZO-2, without any detectable effect on tight junction permeability. Surprisingly, calpeptin increased paracellular permeability in LLC-PK cells even though it did not affect tight junction assembly. Calpeptin also modulated adherens junction assembly in MDCK cells but not in LLC-PK cells. Calpeptin treatment of MDCK cells induced redistribution of E-cadherin and -catenin from intercellular junctions and reduced the association of p120ctn with the E-cadherin/catenin complex. Together, our studies demonstrate that calpeptin differentially regulates stress fiber and junctional complex assembly in MDCK and LLC-PK epithelial cells, indicating that these pathways may be regulated in a cell line-specific manner. calpeptin; tight junctions; adherens junctions; Rho; cadherin; p120ctn     

Clathrin dependent endocytosis of E-cadherin is regulated by the Arf6GAP isoform SMAP1

E-cadherin is a central component of the adherens junction in epithelial cells and continuously undergoes endocytosis via clathrin-coated vesicles and/or caveolae depending on the cell type. In this study, we examined the role of SMAP1, a clathrin-interacting GTPase-activating protein (GAP) for the ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (Arf6) GTPase, in E-cadherin endocytosis. Mardin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells were used as a model, and SMAP1 localized in the cytoplasm and along the adherens junction where E-cadherin was present. Next, activity of SMAP1 was compared with that of other Arf6GAPs (and/or an effector of Arf6-GTP), namely GIT1 and AMAP2/DDEF2. Overexpression of SMAP1 but not GIT1 nor AMAP2/DDEF2 strongly inhibited basal, as well as phorbolester-induced, internalization of E-cadherin. Notably, AMAP2/DDEF2 rather enhanced the caveolae-mediated incorporation of a membrane protein other than E-cadherin. Thus, in MDCK cells, E-cadherin appeared to be endocytosed solely through SMAP1-regulated clathrin-coated vesicles. Furthermore, MDCK cells overexpressing SMAP1 showed a reduced degree of cell migration compared to untransfected cells, as assessed by wound healing and Transwell assays, and this reduction in migration appeared to be due to the accumulation of E-cadherin at the adherens junction in cells overexpressing SMAP1. Collectively, SMAP1 likely represents a key Arf6GAP in clathrin dependent endocytosis of E-cadherin in MDCK cells. This activity of SMAP1 in E-cadherin turnover may be involved in epithelial organization and/or epithelial-mesenchymal transition.     

E-cadherin dis-engagement activates the Rap1 GTPase

E-cadherin based adherens junctions are finely regulated by multiple cellular signaling events. Here we show that the Ras-related Rap1 GTPase is enriched in regions of nascent cell-cell contacts and strengthens E-cadherin junctions: constitutively active Rap1 expressing MDCK cells exhibit increased junctional contact and resisted calcium depletion-induced cell-cell junction disruption. E-cadherin disengagement activated Rap1 and this correlated with E-cadherin association with the Rap GEFs, C3G and PDZ-GEF I. PDZ-GEF I associated with E-cadherin and beta-catenin whereas C3G interaction with E-cadherin did not involve beta-catenin. Knockdown of PDZ-GEF I in MDCK cells decreased Rap1 activity following E-cadherin junction disruption. We hereby show that Rap1 plays a role in the maintenance and repair of E-cadherin junctions and is activated via an "outside-in" signaling pathway initiated by E-cadherin and mediated at least in part by PDZ-GEF I.     

Active Rab11 and functional recycling endosome are required for E-cadherin trafficking and lumen formation during epithelial morphogenesis

The correct targeting and trafficking of the adherens junction protein epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin) is a major determinant for the acquisition of epithelial cell polarity and for the maintenance of epithelial integrity. The compartments and trafficking components required to sort and transport E-cadherin to the basolateral cell surface remain to be fully defined. On the basis of previous data, we know that E-cadherin is trafficked via the recycling endosome (RE) in nonpolarized and newly polarized cells. Here we explore the role of the RE throughout epithelial morphogenesis in MDCK monolayers and cysts. Time-lapse microscopy in live cells, altering RE function biochemically, and expressing a dominant-negative form of Rab11 (DN-Rab11), each showed that the RE is always requisite for E-cadherin sorting and trafficking. The RE remained important for E-cadherin trafficking in MDCK cells from a nonpolarized state through to fully formed, polarized epithelial monolayers. During the development of epithelial cysts, DN-Rab11 disrupted E-cadherin targeting and trafficking, the subapical localization of pERM and actin, and cyst lumen formation. This final effect demonstrated an early and critical interdependence of Rab11 and the RE for E-cadherin targeting, apical membrane formation, and cell polarity in cysts.     

hDLG/SAP97, a member of the MAGUK protein family, is a novel caspase target during cell-cell detachment in apoptosis

Cell-cell detachment is one of the hallmarks of apoptosis. To date, several transmembrane and plaque proteins from tight and adherent junctions have been characterised as caspase targets during apoptosis. Human discs large protein (hDLG)/SAP97 is a member of the membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) family of proteins, localised at the adherent junctions of epithelial and endothelial cells, that is required for adherens junction assembly and differentiation. Here, hDLG is shown to be a caspase target during UV irradiation and staurosporine (STS)-induced apoptosis in HaCaT and CaCo-2 cells. Immunohistological data show a rapid loss of hDLG localisation at the sites of cell-cell contacts, preceding actual cell-cell detachment. In vitro experiments revealed cleavages at multiple sites located in the N-terminal half of the protein by caspase-3 only. Using Ala scanning mutagenesis, one cleavage site with an unusual recognition sequence for the executioner caspases (QSVD427/N) was identified. These data suggest that caspase-mediated cleavage of hDLG, and other MAGUKs, and their removal from sites of cell-cell contacts is an early step in the disruption of adherens junctions and dismantling of cell-cell contacts during apoptosis.     

Sphingomyelin metabolism is involved in the differentiation of MDCK cells induced by environmental hypertonicity

Sphingolipids (SLs) are relevant lipid components of eukaryotic cells. Besides regulating various cellular processes, SLs provide the structural framework for plasma membrane organization. Particularly, SM is associated with detergent-resistant microdomains. We have previously shown that the adherens junction (AJ) complex, the relevant cell-cell adhesion structure involved in cell differentiation and tissue organization, is located in an SM-rich membrane lipid domain. We have also demonstrated that under hypertonic conditions, Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells acquire a differentiated phenotype with changes in SL metabolism. For these reasons, we decided to evaluate whether SM metabolism is involved in the acquisition of the differentiated phenotype of MDCK cells. We found that SM synthesis mediated by SM synthase 1 is involved in hypertonicity-induced formation of mature AJs, necessary for correct epithelial cell differentiation. Inhibition of SM synthesis impaired the acquisition of mature AJs, evoking a disintegration-like process reflected by the dissipation of E-cadherin and β- and α-catenins from the AJ complex. As a consequence, MDCK cells did not develop the hypertonicity-induced differentiated epithelial cell phenotype.     

Exogenous expression of the amino-terminal half of the tight junction protein ZO-3 perturbs junctional complex assembly

The functional characteristics of the tight junction protein ZO-3 were explored through exogenous expression of mutant protein constructs in MDCK cells. Expression of the amino-terminal, PSD95/dlg/ZO-1 domain-containing half of the molecule (NZO-3) delayed the assembly of both tight and adherens junctions induced by calcium switch treatment or brief exposure to the actin-disrupting drug cytochalasin D. Junction formation was monitored by transepithelial resistance measurements and localization of junction-specific proteins by immunofluorescence. The tight junction components ZO-1, ZO-2, endogenous ZO-3, and occludin were mislocalized during the early stages of tight junction assembly. Similarly, the adherens junction proteins E-cadherin and beta-catenin were also delayed in their recruitment to the cell membrane, and NZO-3 expression had striking effects on actin cytoskeleton dynamics. NZO-3 expression did not alter expression levels of ZO-1, ZO-2, endogenous ZO-3, occludin, or E-cadherin; however, the amount of Triton X-100-soluble, signaling-active beta-catenin was increased in NZO-3-expressing cells during junction assembly. In vitro binding experiments showed that ZO-1 and actin preferentially bind to NZO-3, whereas both NZO-3 and the carboxy-terminal half of the molecule (CZO-3) contain binding sites for occludin and cingulin. We hypothesize that NZO-3 exerts its dominant-negative effects via a mechanism involving the actin cytoskeleton, ZO-1, and/or beta-catenin.     

PKC-δ binds to E-cadherin and mediates EGF-induced cell scattering

EGF is known to affect adherens junctions and disrupt cell-cell adhesion in a variety of carcinomas but the underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. Using human tumor epithelial cells overexpressing EGFR we demonstrated that EGF-induced cell scattering was mediated by protein kinase C-delta (PKC-δ). PKC-δ knockdown by siRNA significantly inhibited EGF-induced internalization of E-cadherin into the cytoplasm and blocked cell scattering. EGF phosphorylated PKC-δ at Y311 and ectopic expression of the mutant Y311F prevented PKC-δ binding to E-cadherin and EGF-induced cell scattering. Moreover, depletion of Src using siRNA decreased EGF-induced phosphorylation of PKC-δ at Y311 and blocked scattering. Finally, EGF reduced expression of the tight junction protein, occludin, and this effect was also mediated by PKC-δ through Src. In summary, PKC-δ mediated the effects of EGF on adherens and tight junctions thereby playing an important role in cell-cell adhesion with possible wider implications in tumor metastasis or epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.     

ZO-2 silencing in epithelial cells perturbs the gate and fence function of tight junctions and leads to an atypical monolayer architecture

ZO-2 is a tight junction (TJ) protein that shuttles between the plasma membrane and the nucleus. ZO-2 contains several protein binding sites that allow it to function as a scaffold that clusters integral, adaptor and signaling proteins. To gain insight into the role of ZO-2 in epithelial cells, ZO-2 was silenced in MDCK cells with small interference RNA (siRNA). ZO-2 silencing triggered: (A) changes in the gate function of the TJ, determined by an increase in dextran flow through the paracellular route of mature monolayers and achievement of lower transepithelial electrical resistance values upon TJ de novo formation; (B) changes in the fence function of the TJ manifested by a non-polarized distribution of E-cadherin on the plasma membrane; (C) altered expression of TJ and adherens junction proteins, determined by a decreased amount of occludin and E-cadherin in mature monolayers and a delayed arrival to the plasma membrane of ZO-1, occludin and E-cadherin during a calcium switch assay; and (D) an atypical monolayer architecture characterized by the appearance of widened intercellular spaces, multistratification of regions in the culture and an altered pattern of actin at the cellular borders.     

Cadherin function in junctional complex rearrangement and posttranslational control of cadherin expression

The role ofE-cadherin, a calcium-dependent adhesion protein, in organizing andmaintaining epithelial junctions was examined in detail by expressing afusion protein (GP2-Cad1) composed of the extracellular domain of anonadherent glycoprotein (GP2) and the transmembrane and cytoplasmicdomains of E-cadherin. All studies shown were also replicated using ananalogous cell line that expresses a mutant cadherin construct (T151)under the control of tet repressor. Mutant cadherin was expressed at~10% of the endogenous E-cadherin level and had no apparent effecton tight junction function or on distributions of adherens junction,tight junction, or desmosomal marker proteins in establishedMadin-Darby canine kidney cell monolayers. However, GP2-Cad1accelerated the disassembly of epithelial junctional complexes anddelayed their reassembly in calcium switch experiments. Inducingexpression of GP2-Cad1 to levels approximately threefold greater thanendogenous E-cadherin expression levels in control cells resulted in adecrease in endogenous E-cadherin levels. This was due in part toincreased protein turnover, indicating a cellular mechanism for sensingand controlling E-cadherin levels. Cadherin association with cateninsis necessary for strong cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion. In cellsexpressing low levels of GP2-Cad1, protein levels and stoichiometry ofthe endogenous cadherin-catenin complex were unaffected. Thus effectsof GP2-Cad1 on epithelial junctional complex assembly and stabilitywere not due to competition with endogenous E-cadherin for cateninbinding. Rather, we suggest that GP2-Cad1 interferes with the packingof endogenous cadherin-catenin complexes into higher-order structuresin junctional complexes that results in junction destabilization.     

Vezatin, a protein associated to adherens junctions, is required for mouse blastocyst morphogenesis

Cell-cell interactions play a major role during preimplantation development of the mouse embryo. The formation of adherens junctions is a major feature of compaction, the first morphogenetic event that takes place at the 8-cell stage. Then, during the following two cell cycles, tight junctions form, and the outer layer of cells differentiate into a functional epithelium, leading to the formation of the blastocoel cavity. Until now, E-cadherin was the only transmembrane molecule localized in adherens junctions and required for early development. Vezatin is a transmembrane protein of adherens junctions, interacting with the E-cadherin-catenins complex. Here, we show that vezatin is expressed very early during mouse preimplantation development. It co-localizes with E-cadherin throughout development, being found all around the cell cortex before compaction and basolaterally in adherens junctions thereafter. In addition, vezatin is also detected in nuclei during most of the cell cycle. Finally, using a morpholino-oligonucleotide approach to inhibit vezatin function during preimplantation development, we observed that inhibition of vezatin synthesis leads to a cell cycle arrest with limited cell-cell interactions. This phenotype can be rescued when mRNAs coding for vezatin missing the 5'UTR are co-injected with the anti-vezatin morpholino-oligonucleotide. Cells derived from blastomeres injected with morpholino-oligonucleotide had a reduced amount of vezatin concomitantly with a decrease in the quantity of E-cadherin and beta-catenin localized in the areas of intercellular contact. Shift in E-cadherin cortical distribution was correlated with a strong decrease in E-cadherin mRNA and protein contents. Altogether, these observations demonstrate that vezatin is required for morphogenesis of the preimplantation mouse embryo.     

Phosphorylation of Rab11-FIP2 regulates polarity in MDCK cells

The Rab11 effector Rab11-family interacting protein 2 (Rab11-FIP2) regulates transcytosis through its interactions with Rab11a and myosin Vb. Previous studies implicated Rab11-FIP2 in the establishment of polarity in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells through phosphorylation of Ser-227 by MARK2. Here we examine the dynamic role of Rab11-FIP2 phosphorylation on MDCK cell polarity. Endogenous Rab11-FIP2 phosphorylated on Ser-227 coalesces on vesicular plaques during the reestablishment of polarity after either monolayer wounding or calcium switch. Whereas expression of the nonphosphorylatable Rab11-FIP2(S227A) elicits a loss in lumen formation in MDCK cell cysts grown in Matrigel, the putative pseudophosphorylated Rab11-FIP2(S227E) mutant induces the formation of cysts with multiple lumens. On permeable filters, Rab11-FIP2(S227E)-expressing cells exhibit alterations in the composition of both the adherens and tight junctions. At the adherens junction, p120 catenin and K-cadherin are retained, whereas the majority of the E-cadherin is lost. Although ZO-1 is retained at the tight junction, occludin is lost and the claudin composition is altered. Of interest, the effects of Rab11-FIP2 on cellular polarity did not involve myosin Vb or Rab11a. These results indicate that Ser-227 phosphorylation of Rab11-FIP2 regulates the composition of both adherens and tight junctions and is intimately involved in the regulation of polarity in epithelial cells.     

PALS1 regulates E-cadherin trafficking in mammalian epithelial cells

Protein Associated with Lin Seven 1 (PALS1) is an evolutionarily conserved scaffold protein that targets to the tight junction in mammalian epithelia. Prior work in our laboratory demonstrated that the knockdown of PALS1 in Madin Darby canine kidney cells leads to tight junction and polarity defects. We have created new PALS1 stable knockdown cell lines with more profound reduction of PALS1 expression, and a more severe defect in tight junction formation was observed. Unexpectedly, we also observed a severe adherens junction defect, and both defects were corrected when PALS1 wild type and certain PALS1 mutants were expressed in the knockdown cells. We found that the adherens junction structural component E-cadherin was not effectively delivered to the cell surface in the PALS1 knockdown cells, and E-cadherin puncta accumulated in the cell periphery. The exocyst complex was also found to be mislocalized in PALS1 knockdown cells, potentially explaining why E-cadherin trafficking is disrupted. Our results suggest a broad and evolutionarily conserved role for the tight junction protein PALS1 in the biogenesis of adherens junction.     

Cytoplasmic O-glycosylation prevents cell surface transport of E-cadherin during apoptosis.

Cellular adhesion is regulated by members of the cadherin family of adhesion receptors and their cytoplasmic adaptor proteins, the catenins. Adhesion complexes are regulated by recycling from the plasma membrane and proteolysis during apoptosis. We report that in MCF-7, MDA-MB-468 and MDCK cells, induction of apoptosis by agents that cause endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress results in O-glycosylation of both beta-catenin and the E-cadherin cytoplasmic domain. O-glycosylation of newly synthesized E-cadherin blocks cell surface transport, resulting in reduced intercellular adhesion. O-glycosylated E-cadherin still binds to beta- and gamma-catenin, but not to p120-catenin. Although O-glycosylation can be inhibited with caspase inhibitors, cleavage of caspases associated with the ER or Golgi complex does not correlate with E-cadherin O-glycosylation. However, agents that induce apoptosis via mitochondria do not lead to E-cadherin O-glycosylation, and decrease adhesion more slowly. In MCF-7 cells, this is due to degradation of E-cadherin concomitant with cleavage of caspase-7 and its substrate poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. We conclude that cytoplasmic O-glycosylation is a novel, rapid mechanism for regulating cell surface transport exploited to down-regulate adhesion in some but not all apoptosis pathways.     

Raf kinase inhibitor protein positively regulates cell-substratum adhesion while negatively regulating cell-cell adhesion

Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) regulates a number of cellular processes, including cell migration. Exploring the role of RKIP in cell adhesion, we found that overexpression of RKIP in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells increases adhesion to the substratum, while decreasing adhesion of the cells to one another. The level of the adherens junction protein E-cadherin declines profoundly, and there is loss of normal localization of the tight junction protein ZO-1, while expression of the cell-substratum adhesion protein beta1 integrin dramatically increases. The cells also display increased adhesion and spreading on multiple substrata, including collagen, gelatin, fibronectin and laminin. In three-dimensional culture, RKIP overexpression leads to marked cell elongation and extension of long membrane protrusions into the surrounding matrix, and the cells do not form hollow cysts. RKIP-overexpressing cells generate considerably more contractile traction force than do control cells. In contrast, RNA interference-based silencing of RKIP expression results in decreased cell-substratum adhesion in both MDCK and MCF7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells. Treatment of MDCK and MCF7 cells with locostatin, a direct inhibitor of RKIP and cell migration, also reduces cell-substratum adhesion. Silencing of RKIP expression in MCF7 cells leads to a reduction in the rate of wound closure in a scratch-wound assay, although not as pronounced as that previously reported for RKIP-knockdown MDCK cells. These results suggest that RKIP has important roles in the regulation of cell adhesion, positively controlling cell-substratum adhesion while negatively controlling cell-cell adhesion, and underscore the complex functions of RKIP in cell physiology.     

Distinct domains of paracingulin are involved in its targeting to the actin cytoskeleton and regulation of apical junction assembly

Paracingulin is an M(r) 150-160 kDa cytoplasmic protein of vertebrate epithelial tight and adherens junctions and comprises globular head, coiled-coil rod, and globular tail domains. Unlike its homologous tight junction protein cingulin, paracingulin has been implicated in the control of junction assembly and has been localized at extrajunctional sites in association with actin filaments. Here we analyze the role of paracingulin domains, and specific regions within the head and rod domains, in the function and localization of paracingulin by inducible overexpression of exogenous proteins in epithelial Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells and by expression of mutated and chimeric constructs in Rat1 fibroblasts and MDCK cells. The overexpression of the rod + tail domains of paracingulin perturbs the development of the tight junction barrier and Rac1 activation during junction assembly by the calcium switch, indicating that regulation of junction assembly by paracingulin is mediated by these domains. Conversely, only constructs containing the head domain target to junctions in MDCK cells and Rat1 fibroblasts. Furthermore, expression of chimeric cingulin and paracingulin constructs in Rat1 fibroblasts and MDCK cells identifies specific sequences within the head and rod domains of paracingulin as critical for targeting to actin filaments and regulation of junction assembly, respectively. In summary, we characterize the functionally important domains of paracingulin that distinguish it from cingulin.     

Depletion of E-cadherin disrupts establishment but not maintenance of cell junctions in Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells

E-cadherin forms calcium-dependent homophilic intercellular adhesions between epithelial cells. These contacts regulate multiple aspects of cell behavior, including the organization of intercellular tight junctions (TJs). To distinguish between the roles of E-cadherin in formation versus maintenance of junctions, Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were depleted of E-cadherin by RNA interference. Surprisingly, reducing E-cadherin expression had little effect on the protein levels or localization of adherens junction (AJ) or TJ markers. The cells underwent morphological changes, as the normally flat apical surface swelled into a dome. However, apical-basal polarity was not compromised, transmembrane resistance was normal, and zonula occludin protein 1 dynamics at the TJs were unchanged. Additionally, an E-cadherin/Cadherin-6 double knockdown also failed to disrupt established TJs, although beta-catenin was lost from the cell cortex. Nevertheless, cells depleted of E-cadherin failed to properly reestablish cell polarity after junction disassembly. Recovery of cell-cell adhesion, transepithelial resistance, and the localization of TJ and AJ markers were all delayed. In contrast, depletion of alpha-catenin caused long-term disruption of junctions. These results indicate that E-cadherin and Cadherin-6 function as a scaffold for the construction of polarized structures, and they become largely dispensable in mature junctions, whereas alpha-catenin is essential for the maintenance of functional junctions.