We got the cover of Cell!

Look for the paper in the May 22nd issue...

Danfeng Cai, Shann-Ching Chen, Mohit Prasad, Li He, Xiaobo Wang, Valerie Choesmel-Cadamuro, Jessica K. Sawyer, Gaudenz Danuser and Denise J. Montell

E-cadherin is a major homophilic cell-cell adhesion molecule that inhibits motility of individual cells on matrix. However its contribution to migration of cells through cell-rich tissues is less clear. We developed an in vivo optical sensor of mechanical tension across E-cadherin molecules, which combined with cell-type-specific RNAi and photo-activatable Rac, allowed us to interrogate how cell-cell adhesion contributes to collective migration of cells between other cells. Using border cells in the Drosophila ovary as a model, we found that adhesion between border cells and their substrate, the nurse cells, stabilizes forward-directed protrusion and directionally persistent movement. Adhesion between individual migratory border cells communicates the direction of movement from the lead cell to the rest. Adhesion between motile cells and non-migratory polar cells holds the cluster together and polarizes each individual cell. Thus, E-cadherin is an integral component of the guidance mechanism that orchestrates directional collective migration in vivo.

Thanks to Peter Allen for the terrific cover artwork!