IMR Press / FBL / Volume 14 / Issue 8 / DOI: 10.2741/3442

Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark (FBL) is published by IMR Press from Volume 26 Issue 5 (2021). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with Frontiers in Bioscience.

Article
Microtubules and cadherins: a neglected partnership
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1 Division of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 4072
2 Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Netherlands
Front. Biosci. (Landmark Ed) 2009, 14(8), 3159–3167; https://doi.org/10.2741/3442
Published: 1 January 2009
Abstract

Classical cadherins are fundamental determinants of tissue organization both in health and disease. It has long been recognized that cadherins function in close cooperation with the cytoskeleton, particularly with actin. Less appreciated is the capacity for cadherins to also interact functionally and biochemically with microtubules and their associated proteins. In this review, we aim to highlight the potential for cooperativity between cadherins and microtubules. Cadherins can regulate the organization and dynamics of microtubules through mechanisms such as anchorage of minus ends and cortical capture of plus ends. Such cadherin-induced reorganization of microtubules may then affect cadherin biology by diverse processes that include directed vesicular traffic by microtubule-based motors and regulation of cortical signaling and organization. Ultimately, we hope this will stimulate fresh interest and research to understand a neglected partnership.

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