Figure 8

Second effector domain analysis with respect to disruption of cadherin-dependent adhesion and lamella formation. Different positions within the putative second effector domain were mutated to alanine to generate four mutants in a constitutively active Rac background. Similar results were obtained for all mutants, and representative pictures are shown for the mutants A162 A163 (a, b, e, and f) and A170 A171 (c, d, g, and h). To evaluate disruption of cadherin function in keratinocytes (a–d), cell-cell contacts were induced for 4–5 h after microinjection, and cells were then fixed and stained for E-cadherin (b and d). The same mutants were also analyzed for their ability to induce formation of lamellae/ruffles in Swiss 3T3 cells, after staining with FITC-phalloidin (e–h). Bar, 50 μm.