Dishevelled controls bulk cadherin dynamics and the stability of individual cadherin clusters during convergent extension

Abstract

Animals are shaped through the movement of large cellular collectives. Such morphogenetic processes require cadherin-based cell adhesion to maintain tissue cohesion and planar cell polarity to coordinate movement. Despite a vast literature surrounding cadherin-based adhesion and planar cell polarity it is unclear how these molecular networks interface. Here we investigate the relationship between cadherins and planar cell polarity during gastrulation cell movements in Xenopus laevis. We first assessed the bulk cadherin localization and found that cadherins were enriched at a specific subset of morphogenetically active cell-cell junctions. We then found that disruption of planar cell polarity desynchronized temporal cadherin and actin dynamics. Next, using super-resolution time-lapse miscopy and quantitative image analysis we were able to measure the lifespan and size of individual cadherin clusters. Finally, we show that planar cell polarity not only controls the size of cadherin clusters but, more interestingly, regulates cluster stability. These results reveal an intriguing link between two essential cellular properties, adhesion and planar polarity, and provide insight into the molecular control of morphogenetic cell movements. HighlightsPlanar cell polarity is required for cadherin spatiotemporal dynamics. Super-resolution imaging reveals the spatiotemporal patterns of cadherin clustering. Cadherin cluster lifespan and size are highly heterogenous. Planar cell polarity controls cadherin cluster stability and size.