Targeted modifications in dimerization interfaces differently change dynamics of cadherin clusters. (A) Sequences of time-lapse images of cell–cell contacts between cells expressing the EcDendra-Δ748-KL mutant (Δ748, top) or its strand swap–incompetent version (W2A, bottom) acquired at 2-min intervals (see Videos 1 and 2). The junctions containing the parental mutant are stable along the entire sequence, whereas junctions containing the W2A mutant change their shapes and numbers. Bar, 10 µM. (B) Junctional Dendra activation assay of different EcDendra-Δ748-KL mutants. The graph shows changes in intensity of the red fluorescence in the individual junctions after Dendra2 activation (an average of four independent experiments). The error bars represent SD (n = 30). (C) Time-lapse analysis of the photoactivated adherens junctions in cells expressing different EcDendra-Δ748-KL mutants. The green channel shows normal Dendra2 fluorescence. The red channel reveals a photoconverted Dendra2 form. Frame 0 shows the cells right after photoactivation. Frame 3 is 3 min later. Note that the W2A mutant strongly accelerates the mutant’s exit from the junctions. In contrast, D1A and K14E significantly delay this process. All images in C have the same magnification. Bar, 5 µM.