Tension on Cadherin induce Polarity

A new paper out in DevCell showing that tension on Cadherin via intermediate filament (for once not actin), is enforcing polarity; by pulling in the back, the cells will respond my migrating the other direction. In other words (and not shown in the paper), in a wound site, the leading edge cells are polarised towards the wound by being pulled (via cadherin) from the cells behind it. A "mechanoresponse" that will induce migration to close the wound.

Drawing is taken from Dev Cell