The study by Mangeol et al. redefines the apical junction of intestinal epithelia, challenging the prevailing dogma that the zonula adherens (ZA) consists of a single belt of E-cadherin and catenins linked to F-actin bundles. Using super-resolution microscopy on human intestinal biopsies and Caco-2 cells, the authors find that the ZA in mature intestinal epithelia consists of two distinct multiprotein belts: a basal belt with E-cadherin/catenins and an apical belt with nectins/afadin. The apical belt aligns with F-actin, while the basal belt is less dependent on F-actin. The study also shows that afadin is essential for the segregation of these belts and for force transmission across cell junctions. The authors name this dual-belt architecture the "zonula adherens matura" and suggest that it provides a more accurate description of the mechanics of epithelial sheets. The findings highlight the importance of the nectin-afadin complex in force transmission and suggest that the role of E-cadherin in apical junctions may need to be reevaluated.The study by Mangeol et al. redefines the apical junction of intestinal epithelia, challenging the prevailing dogma that the zonula adherens (ZA) consists of a single belt of E-cadherin and catenins linked to F-actin bundles. Using super-resolution microscopy on human intestinal biopsies and Caco-2 cells, the authors find that the ZA in mature intestinal epithelia consists of two distinct multiprotein belts: a basal belt with E-cadherin/catenins and an apical belt with nectins/afadin. The apical belt aligns with F-actin, while the basal belt is less dependent on F-actin. The study also shows that afadin is essential for the segregation of these belts and for force transmission across cell junctions. The authors name this dual-belt architecture the "zonula adherens matura" and suggest that it provides a more accurate description of the mechanics of epithelial sheets. The findings highlight the importance of the nectin-afadin complex in force transmission and suggest that the role of E-cadherin in apical junctions may need to be reevaluated.