The F-BAR protein pacsin2 inhibits asymmetric VE-cadherin internalization from tensile adherens junctions

Nat Commun. 2016 Jul 15:7:12210. doi: 10.1038/ncomms12210.

Abstract

Vascular homoeostasis, development and disease critically depend on the regulation of endothelial cell-cell junctions. Here we uncover a new role for the F-BAR protein pacsin2 in the control of VE-cadherin-based endothelial adhesion. Pacsin2 concentrates at focal adherens junctions (FAJs) that are experiencing unbalanced actomyosin-based pulling. FAJs move in response to differences in local cytoskeletal geometry and pacsin2 is recruited consistently to the trailing end of fast-moving FAJs via a mechanism that requires an intact F-BAR domain. Photoconversion, photobleaching, immunofluorescence and super-resolution microscopy reveal polarized dynamics, and organization of junctional proteins between the front of FAJs and their trailing ends. Interestingly, pacsin2 recruitment inhibits internalization of the VE-cadherin complex from FAJ trailing ends and is important for endothelial monolayer integrity. Together, these findings reveal a novel junction protective mechanism during polarized trafficking of VE-cadherin, which supports barrier maintenance within dynamic endothelial tissue.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actomyosin / metabolism
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism*
  • Adherens Junctions / metabolism*
  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism*
  • Cadherins / genetics
  • Cadherins / metabolism*
  • Focal Adhesions / metabolism
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Antigens, CD
  • Cadherins
  • PACSIN2 protein, human
  • cadherin 5
  • Actomyosin