Scientists have discovered that E-cadherin, a protein best known as the glue that holds cells and tissues together, also helps epithelial cells swallow nearby dead cells. Using live zebrafish and mouse embryos, researchers found that cells can dramatically reshape their lower surfaces to engulf cellular debris while keeping their upper surfaces stable, allowing protective barriers to stay sealed throughout the process. The finding reveals that tissue integrity and cleanup can happen at the same time, showing that a protein long defined by its adhesive role also takes part in clearing dead cells without compromising the barrier.
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