Tissue morphogenesis relies on the coordinated action of actin networks, cell-cell adhesions, and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesions. Such coordination can be achieved through cross-talk between cell-cell and cell-ECM adhesions. Drosophila dorsal closure (DC), a morphogenetic process in which an extraembryonic tissue called the amnioserosa contracts and ingresses to close a discontinuity in the dorsal epidermis of the embryo, requires both cell-cell and cell-ECM adhesions. However, whether the functions of these two types of adhesions are coordinated during DC is not known. Here we analyzed possible interdependence between cell-cell and cell-ECM adhesions during DC and its effect on the actomyosin network. We find that loss of cell-ECM adhesion results in aberrant distributions of cadherin-mediated adhesions and actin networks in the amnioserosa and subsequent disruption of myosin recruitment and dynamics. Moreover, loss of cell-cell adhesion caused up-regulation of cell-ECM adhesion, leading to reduced cell deformation and force transmission across amnioserosa cells. Our results show how interdependence between cell-cell and cell-ECM adhesions is important in regulating cell behaviors, force generation, and force transmission critical for tissue morphogenesis.
© 2017 Goodwin, Lostchuck, et al. This article is distributed by The American Society for Cell Biology under license from the author(s). Two months after publication it is available to the public under an Attribution–Noncommercial–Share Alike 3.0 Unported Creative Commons License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0).