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Mechanotransduction in an adherens junction. Cell–cell junctions are able to sense increased tension and respond by strengthening their actin linkages. When actin filaments are pulled from within the cell by non-muscle myosin II, the resulting force unfolds a domain in α-catenin, thereby exposing an otherwise hidden binding site for the adaptor protein vinculin. Vinculin then promotes additional actin recruitment, strengthening the linkages between the junction and the cytoskeleton