α-catenin localization is enhanced at the apices.

<p>(a)(Left to right) Representative images of cardiac myocytes stained for α-catenin (red) on N-cad patterns with and without BDM compared to Fn control; (b) (Left) Average cell of α-catenin stained cardiac myocytes on N-cadherin substrate (n = 30 cells) shows localization at the apices, (center) N-cadherin substrate after addition of BDM, a myosin inhibitor (n = 38 cells), note the absence of α-catenin localization at the apices and preferential localization to the perinuclear region, (right) Fn used as a control shows no preferential localization to the apices (white = most intense staining, blue = least intense staining); (c) Ratio of intensity of α-catenin staining on the apices of the Y-shaped micropattern to the intensity of α-catenin staining in the center of the micropatterns shows enhanced localization at the cell apices when contractility is not inhibited. **p<0.01, error bars = ±1 SEM. Scale bar indicates 20 µm.