Adherens junctions co-opt EGFR-ERK signaling for epithelial mechanotransduction

In this issue of Science Signaling , Houtekamer et al . report a mechanism by which adherens junctions enable epithelia to respond to mechanical stress. They demonstrate that E-cadherin–containing adhesions stimulate ERK signaling in response to tissue tension through a metalloproteinase pathway that releases EGF receptor ligands.