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Force transmission in epithelial tissues
Author(s) -
Vasquez Claudia G.,
Martin Adam C.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.24384
Subject(s) - adherens junction , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , cytoplasm , epithelial tissue , cytoskeleton , transmission (telecommunications) , cortex (anatomy) , cell junction , cell cortex , cadherin , cell , epithelium , neuroscience , genetics , engineering , electrical engineering
In epithelial tissues, cells constantly generate and transmit forces between each other. Forces generated by the actomyosin cytoskeleton regulate tissue shape and structure and also provide signals that influence cells' decisions to divide, die, or differentiate. Forces are transmitted across epithelia because cells are mechanically linked through junctional complexes, and forces can propagate through the cell cytoplasm. Here, we review some of the molecular mechanisms responsible for force generation, with a specific focus on the actomyosin cortex and adherens junctions. We then discuss evidence for how these mechanisms promote cell shape changes and force transmission in tissues. Developmental Dynamics 245:361–371, 2016 . © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.