Abstract Collective cell migration is essential in various physiological processes, including embryonic development, wound healing, and cancer metastasis. However, the mechanisms by which individual cells achieve coordinated movement remain elusive. Here, we demonstrate that zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), a scaffolding protein of tight junctions (TJs), dynamically translocates to form cell–extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion complexes, podosomes, at the basal cell surface during migration.