Figure 5.

Disruption of cell–cell contacts results in vesicle formation and redistribution of E-cadherin and endogenous Rac1 to the perimeter of these vesicles. Small keratinocyte colonies (<60 cells/colony) were cultured in normal medium (A and D) or in low-calcium medium to disrupt cell–cell adhesion (B and C). Alternatively cell–cell adhesion in cells cultured in normal medium was disrupted by addition of antibody to E-cadherin (HECD-1) for 12 h (D). Cells were stained with antibodies to E-cadherin (A, B, and D) or Rac1 (C). Images are from 0.4-μm sections taken 4.8 μm from basal surface of the cell. Scale bar, 10 μm.