EPLIN mediates linkage of the cadherin–catenin complex to F-actin and stabilizes the circumferential actin belt

Abstract

The cadherin–catenin complex is the major machinery for cell–cell adhesion in many animal species. This complex in general associates with actin fibers at its cytoplasmic side, organizing the adherens junction (AJ). In epithelial cells, the AJ encircles the cells near their apical surface and forms the “zonula adherens” or “adhesion belt.” The mechanism as to how the cadherin–catenin complex and F-actin cooperate to generate these junctional structures, however, remains unknown. Here, we show that EPLIN (epithelial protein lost in neoplasm; also known as Lima-1), an actin-binding protein, couples with α-catenin and, in turn, links the cadherin–catenin complex to F-actin. Without EPLIN, this linkage was unable to form. When EPLIN had been depleted in epithelial cells, the adhesion belt was disorganized and converted into zipper-like junctions in which actin fibers were radially arranged. However, nonjunctional actin fibers were not particularly affected by EPLIN depletion. As EPLIN is known to have the ability to suppress actin depolymerization, our results suggest that EPLIN functions to link the cadherin–catenin complex to F-actin and simultaneously stabilizes this population of actin fibers, resulting in the establishment of the adhesion belt.