aECM to F-actin feedback mechanism

Sofia Araújo and collaborators discovered an apical ECM to F-actin feedback mechanisms in tracheal cells which was recently published in eLife. The authors show that there is an active feedback mechanism between apical ECM (aECM) and the apical F-actin in tracheal cells. Cell-cell junctions are shown to be key players in this aECM patterning and organisation and that individual cells contribute autonomously to their aECM. Strikingly, changes in the aECM influence the levels of phosphorylated Src42A (pSrc) at cell junctions. The authors propose that Src42A phosphorylation levels provide a link for the extracellular matrix environment to ensure proper cytoskeletal organisation. See paper here.