Formins at the Junction

The actin cytoskeleton and adhesion junctions are physically and functionally coupled at the cell–cell interface between epithelial cells. The actin regulatory complex Arp2/3 has an established role in the turnover of junctional actin; however, the role of formins, the largest group of actin regulators, is less clear. Formins dynamically shape the actin cytoskeleton and have various functions within cells. In this review we describe recent progress on how formins regulate actin dynamics at cell–cell contacts and highlight formin functions during polarized protein traffic necessary for epithelialization.

TrendsFormins are a large group of actin regulators that actively shape the epithelial actin cytoskeleton.Formin-regulated actin polymerization is crucial during cell–cell contact and adherens junction formation.Formin-dependent actin polymerizing activity is required for lumen formation in tissue culture and in vivo.Polarized targeting of proteins to the apical membrane via vesicle-based transport mechanism depends on actin filament structures generated by formins.