N-Cadherin/α-Catenin Drive Adhesion and Actin Regulation to Orchestrate Tunneling Nanotube Formation

Cell-to-cell communication is essential for maintaining homeostasis in multicellular organisms. Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs)—actin-based membranous connections—mediate the exchange of diverse cargoes between distant cells. Unlike other cellular protrusions, TNTs exhibit unique ultrastructural features and are enriched in the adhesion molecule N-Cadherin.

Here, we dissect the role of N-Cadherin in the formation and function of TNTs in SH-SY5Y human neuronal-like cells. We show that N-Cadherin, via its effectors α-Catenin and p120-Catenin, is a central regulator of TNT architecture and their cargo transfer capability. Regulators of cortical tension p120-Catenin, ROCK, and non-muscle myosin II also emerge as critical for TNT functionality, highlighting a mechanosensitive component to TNT regulation. Moreover, we reveal that NMIIA can be processive inside TNTs and transfer through them using actin’s retrograde flow. Finally, we identify the Cdc42–IRSp53–N-WASP pathway as a downstream effector axis enhancing intercellular transfer downstream of N-Cadherin.

Together, our findings uncover a structural and functional link between N-Cadherin signaling and TNT-mediated intercellular communication.