FIGURE 7:

Model for linking contractile actin to cardiomyocyte AJs. (1) The cadherin-catenin complex makes initial contact with F-actin through α-catenin. Mechanical force is required to promote strong binding of the αE-catenin ABD to F-actin. (2) Increased tension induces conformational changes in the central M-region of α-catenin to promote recruitment of vinculin and afadin. (3) Vinculin recruitment stabilizes the AJ-actin interface under mechanical load to promote myofibril coupling and mechanical continuity between cardiomyocytes. The role of afadin at cardiomyocyte AJs is not clear.