Exogenous expression of an αE-catenin–EPLIN fusion in R2/7 cells. (A) αE-catenin constructs tagged with EGFP. αE(1–906) corresponds to the full-length αE-catenin. The full-length EPLIN was fused to αE(1–508). (B) Junctional organization in R2/7 cells transfected with αE(1–906), αE(1–508), or αE(1–508)EPLIN. Contrasted with the balanced organization of lAJs and pAJs in αE(1–906)-transfected colonies, αE(1–508) transfectants show pAJs even in the interior. The inset shows an enlarged view of the boxed region. αE(1–508)EPLIN organize only lAJ-like junctions. Dotted signals probably represent overexpressed molecules deposited in the cytoplasm. (C and D) Junctional organization in R2/7 cells transfected with αE(1–508) or αE(1–508)EPLIN. Cells were double-stained for EGFP and E-cadherin (C) or F-actin (D). αE(1–508) organizes lAJs and pAJs at the central and peripheral regions, respectively, whereas αE(1–508)EPLIN organizes only lAJs. Arrowheads indicate pAJs. Bars, 10 µm.