{"type": "root", "children": [{"type": "p", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "\n AFDN (afadin) is a key adaptor protein that links nectin family adhesion molecules to the actin cytoskeleton and cooperates with classical cadherins to regulate cell–cell junction assembly and function. In cancer, for example, heterotypic junctions formed between cancer‐associated fibroblasts and tumor cells rely on a mechanically active adhesion where N‐cadherin/E‐cadherin contacts lead to the recruitment of nectins and afadin at the interface; afadin is essential for the subsequent repolarization of the fibroblasts and the reinforcement of adhesion via β‐catenin and α‐catenin/vinculin interactions."}, {"type": "fg", "children": [{"type": "fg_f", "ref": "1"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " In the central nervous system, the nectin–afadin system organizes adherens junctions at synapses; here, nectin‐1 and nectin‐3 become asymmetrically localized to the pre‐ and postsynaptic membranes, respectively, with afadin serving to couple these adhesion sites to the actin cytoskeleton. Disruption of this system alters synapse size and number."}, {"type": "fg", "children": [{"type": "fg_f", "ref": "2"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " Similarly, at Sertoli–spermatid junctions in the testis, the heterotypic interaction between nectin‑2 on Sertoli cells and nectin‑3 on spermatids recruits afadin. This recruitment is critical for the formation and maintenance of a robust junctional actin scaffold, thereby ensuring correct spermatid morphogenesis and positioning."}, {"type": "fg", "children": [{"type": "fg_f", "ref": "3"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": "\n "}]}, {"type": "rg", "children": [{"type": "r", "ref": 1, "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Anna Labernadie, Takuya Kato, Agustí Brugués, et al. "}, {"type": "b", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "A mechanically active heterotypic E-cadherin/N-cadherin adhesion enables fibroblasts to drive cancer cell invasion."}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " "}, {"type": "i", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Nat Cell Biol (2017)"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " DOI: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "10.1038/ncb3478"}], "href": "https://doi.org/10.1038/ncb3478"}, {"type": "t", "text": " PMID: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "28218910"}], "href": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28218910"}]}, {"type": "r", "ref": 2, "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Akira Mizoguchi, Hiroyuki Nakanishi, Kazushi Kimura, et al. "}, {"type": "b", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Nectin: an adhesion molecule involved in formation of synapses."}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " "}, {"type": "i", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "J Cell Biol (2002)"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " DOI: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "10.1083/jcb.200103113"}], "href": "https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.200103113"}, {"type": "t", "text": " PMID: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "11827984"}], "href": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11827984"}]}, {"type": "r", "ref": 3, "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Kumi Ozaki-Kuroda, Hiroyuki Nakanishi, Hiroshi Ohta, et al. "}, {"type": "b", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Nectin couples cell-cell adhesion and the actin scaffold at heterotypic testicular junctions."}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " "}, {"type": "i", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Curr Biol (2002)"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " DOI: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "10.1016/s0960-9822(02)00922-3"}], "href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/s0960-9822(02"}, {"type": "t", "text": "00922-3) PMID: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "12121624"}], "href": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12121624"}]}]}]}