The dual Ras Association (RA) Domains of Drosophila Canoe have differential roles in linking cell junctions to the cytoskeleton during morphogenesis.

During development cells must change shape and move without disrupting dynamic tissue architecture. This requires robust linkage of cell-cell adherens junctions to the force-generating actomyosin cytoskeleton. Drosophila Canoe and mammalian Afadin play key roles. One central task for the field is defining mechanisms by which upstream inputs from Ras-family GTPases regulate Canoe/Afadin. They are unusual in sharing two tandem Ras-association (RA) domains, which, when deleted, virtually eliminate Canoe function. Work in vitro suggested RA1 and RA2 differ in GTPase affinity, but their individual functions in vivo remain unknown. Combining bioinformatic and biochemical approaches, we find that both RA1 and RA2 bind to active Rap1 with similar affinities, and their conserved N-terminal extensions enhance binding. We created Drosophila canoe mutants to test RA1 and RA2 function in vivo. Despite their similar affinities for Rap1, RA1 and RA2 play strikingly different roles. Deleting RA1 virtually eliminates Canoe function, while mutants lacking RA2 are viable and fertile but have defects in junctional reinforcement in embryos and during pupal eye development. These data significantly expand our understanding of regulation of adherens junction:cytoskeletal linkage.

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