α-catenin switches between a slip and an asymmetric catch bond with F-actin to cooperatively regulate cell junction fluidity

Abstract

By using laser tweezers, the authors show that a single α-catenin molecule does not resist force on F-actin. However, clustering of multiple molecules and force applied toward F-actin pointed end engage a molecular switch in α-catenin, which unfolds and strongly binds F-actin.