We show that in both epithelial and heart cells, desmoplakin behaves like a 'directional' force sensor, and responds to changes in tensile forces by undergoing a dramatic conformational change.
Delighted to announce the publication of our manuscript today in @NatureComms showing how desmosomes sense and respond to mechanical forces. Led by the truly amazing Belle Dong with many thanks to our collaborators in the Choy & Kwiatkowski labs.
https://t.co/xgjCPCcGc9
Desmosomes are adhesive junctions that mediate the integrity of tension prone tissues. Yet, how desmosomes sense and respond to mechanical stimuli are unknown. We show that actomyosin forces alter the conformation of desmoplakin, a key desmosomal protein.
We show that antibodies can trap cadherin in an X-dimer conformation. Formation of an X-dimer triggers the phosphorylation of cytoplasmic p120-catenin, a suppressor of cadherin endocytosis. Consequently p120 dissociates from the X-dimer which causes cadherin endocytosis.
Delighted to announce our new publication in @NatureComms on outside-in engineering of cadherin endocytosis using a conformation strengthening antibody. Exceptional effort by co-first authors @BinXie95765695 and Shipeng Xu. Funded by @NIGMS.
https://t.co/Y7Vq2MFdum
We demonstrate that an extracellular conformation of cadherin, an essential cell-cell adhesion protein, triggers cadherin internalization. Our work provides insights into how cells regulate adhesion and can be exploited to design antibodies for intracellular drug delivery.
Sanjeevi Sivasankar and colleagues @ucdavis used MD simulations and single molecule AFM to elucidate the molecular mechanism by which the antibody 66E8 strengthens the interactions of E-cadherin cell-cell adhesion proteins @Sivasankar_Lab
https://t.co/hbLUTcXtIp
Our study offers guidelines for designing antibodies that strengthen cadherin adhesion. We show that these antibodies stabilize the primary E-cadherin binding conformation and inhibit conformational changes during dissociation. Strong collaboration with Barry Gumbiner's lab.
Announcing the publication of our paper in @Structure_CP describing the molecular mechanism by which antibodies strengthen the binding of E-cadherin cell-cell adhesion proteins. Fabulous work by Bin Xie and Shipeng Xu @UCD_BPH@UCDavisBME@UCDavisCOE
https://t.co/IYtyqek3PK
This is a devastating loss. Bill’s work in cell adhesion was an inspiration to our lab. And Bill was a most generous and kind colleague. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. RIP.
With sorrow, we (@Stanford_MCP@SSBiophysics) share news that our friend & colleague, Bill Weis, passed away Oct 13,2023. Among many other reasons, he is missed for his discoveries, mentoring, and for the gift of his incisive intellect, wry wit, & kindness. RIP.
Delighted that our light-activated proximity labeling technology for mapping protein–protein interactions was just published in @J_Cell_Sci
Special thanks to co-first authors @shafrazomer and Carolyn Davis
@ucdavis@UCDavisCOE@UCDavisBME
https://t.co/2ggPFGMelX