Cadherins are key Ca2+-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecules at adherens junctions (AJs) in fibroblasts and epithelial cells, whereas claudins are key Ca2+-independent cell-cell adhesion molecules at tight junctions (TJs) in epithelial cells. The formation and maintenance of TJs are dependent on the formation and maintenance of AJs. Nectins are Ca2+-independent immunoglobulin-like cell-cell adhesion molecules which comprise a family of four members, nectin-1, -2, -3, and -4, and are involved in the formation of AJs in cooperation with cadherins, and the subsequent formation of TJs. We show here that the velocity of the formation of the E-cadherin-based AJs is increased by overexpression of nectin-1 and is reduced by addition of the nectin-1 inhibitors to the medium in L cells stably expressing E-cadherin and Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. Moreover, the velocity of the formation of the claudin-based TJs is increased by overexpression of nectin-1 and is reduced by addition of the nectin-1 inhibitors to the medium in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. These results indicate that nectins regulate the velocity of the formation of the E-cadherin-based AJs and the subsequent formation of the claudin-based TJs. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.