scholarly journals Direct Ca2+-dependent Heterophilic Interaction between Desmosomal Cadherins, Desmoglein and Desmocollin, Contributes to Cell–Cell Adhesion

1997 ◽  
Vol 138 (1) ◽  
pp. 193-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolai A. Chitaev ◽  
Sergey M. Troyanovsky

Human fibrosarcoma cells, HT-1080, feature extensive adherens junctions, lack mature desmosomes, and express a single known desmosomal protein, Desmoglein 2 (Dsg2). Transfection of these cells with bovine Desmocollin 1a (Dsc1a) caused dramatic changes in the subcellular distribution of endogenous Dsg2. Both cadherins clustered in the areas of the adherens junctions, whereas only a minor portion of Dsg2 was seen in these areas in the parental cells. Deletion mapping showed that intact extracellular cadherin-like repeats of Dsc1a (Arg1-Thr170) are required for the translocation of Dsg2. Deletion of the intracellular C-domain that mediates the interaction of Dsc1a with plakoglobin, or the CSI region that is involved in the binding to desmoplakin, had no effect. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments of cell lysates stably expressing Dsc1a with anti-Dsc or -Dsg antibodies demonstrate that the desmosomal cadherins, Dsg2 and Dsc1a, are involved in a direct Ca2+-dependent interaction. This conclusion was further supported by the results of solid phase binding experiments. These showed that the Dsc1a fragment containing cadherin-like repeats 1 and 2 binds directly to the extracellular portion of Dsg in a Ca2+-dependent manner. The contribution of the Dsg/ Dsc interaction to cell–cell adhesion was tested by coculturing HT-1080 cells expressing Dsc1a with HT-1080 cells lacking Dsc but expressing myc-tagged plakoglobin (MPg). In the latter cells, MPg and the endogenous Dsg form stable complexes. The observed specific coimmunoprecipitation of MPg by anti-Dsc antibodies in coculture indicates that an intercellular interaction between Dsc1 and Dsg is involved in cell–cell adhesion.

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1597-1609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshinari Tanaka ◽  
Hiroyuki Nakanishi ◽  
Shigeki Kakunaga ◽  
Noriko Okabe ◽  
Tomomi Kawakatsu ◽  
...  

E-Cadherin is a Ca2+-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecule at adherens junctions (AJs) of epithelial cells. A fragment of N-cadherin lacking its extracellular region serves as a dominant negative mutant (DN) and inhibits cell-cell adhesion activity of E-cadherin, but its mode of action remains to be elucidated. Nectin is a Ca2+-independent immunoglobulin-like cell-cell adhesion molecule at AJs and is associated with E-cadherin through their respective peripheral membrane proteins, afadin and catenins, which connect nectin and cadherin to the actin cytoskeleton, respectively. We showed here that overexpression of nectin capable of binding afadin, but not a mutant incapable of binding afadin, reduced the inhibitory effect of N-cadherin DN on the cell-cell adhesion activity of E-cadherin in keratinocytes. Overexpressed nectin recruited N-cadherin DN to the nectin-based cell-cell adhesion sites in an afadin-dependent manner. Moreover, overexpression of nectin enhanced the E-cadherin–based cell-cell adhesion activity. These results suggest that N-cadherin DN competitively inhibits the association of the endogenous nectin-afadin system with the endogenous E-cadherin-catenin system and thereby reduces the cell-cell adhesion activity of E-cadherin. Thus, nectin plays a role in the formation of E-cadherin–based AJs in keratinocytes.


1995 ◽  
Vol 269 (6) ◽  
pp. C1433-C1449 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Piepenhagen ◽  
W. J. Nelson

Structural and functional differences among epithelial cells of kidney nephrons may be regulated by variations in cell-to-cell (cell-cell) and cell-to-substratum (cell-substratum) junctions. Using immunofluorescence microscopy, we demonstrate that the cadherin-associated proteins alpha- and beta-catenin are localized to basolateral membranes of cells in all nephron segments, whereas plakoglobin, a protein associated with both classical and desmosomal cadherins, is localized to noninterdigitated lateral membranes in the distal half of the nephron where it colocalizes with desmoplakin and cytokeratin K8. Plakoglobin is also present in capillary endothelial cells where staining for the other catenins and desmosomal proteins is not observed. Immunofluorescence for laminin A and alpha 6-integrin, proteins that mediate cell-substratum contacts, reveal no correlations with the other staining patterns observed. These data indicate that plakoglobin and beta-catenin subserve distinct functions in cell-cell adhesion and suggest that E-cadherin-mediated contacts generate a basal level of cell-cell adhesion, whereas desmosomal junctions provide additional strength to cell-cell contacts in the distal nephron.


2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 1593-1606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph O. Humtsoe ◽  
Mingyao Liu ◽  
Asrar B. Malik ◽  
Kishore K. Wary

ABSTRACT Endothelial cell (EC) migration, cell-cell adhesion, and the formation of branching point structures are considered hallmarks of angiogenesis; however, the underlying mechanisms of these processes are not well understood. Lipid phosphate phosphatase 3 (LPP3) is a recently described p120-catenin-associated integrin ligand localized in adherens junctions (AJs) of ECs. Here, we tested the hypothesis that LPP3 stimulates β-catenin/lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1 (β-catenin/LEF-1) to induce EC migration and formation of branching point structures. In subconfluent ECs, LPP3 induced expression of fibronectin via β-catenin/LEF-1 signaling in a phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN)-dependent manner. In confluent ECs, depletion of p120-catenin restored LPP3-mediated β-catenin/LEF-1 signaling. Depletion of LPP3 resulted in destabilization of β-catenin, which in turn reduced fibronectin synthesis and deposition, which resulted in inhibition of EC migration. Accordingly, reexpression of β-catenin but not p120-catenin in LPP3-depleted ECs restored de novo synthesis of fibronectin, which mediated EC migration and formation of branching point structures. In confluent ECs, however, a fraction of p120-catenin associated and colocalized with LPP3 at the plasma membrane, via the C-terminal cytoplasmic domain, thereby limiting the ability of LPP3 to stimulate β-catenin/LEF-1 signaling. Thus, our study identified a key role for LPP3 in orchestrating PTEN-mediated β-catenin/LEF-1 signaling in EC migration, cell-cell adhesion, and formation of branching point structures.


1990 ◽  
Vol 110 (3) ◽  
pp. 777-787 ◽  
Author(s):  
J B McCarthy ◽  
A P Skubitz ◽  
Z Qi ◽  
X Y Yi ◽  
D J Mickelson ◽  
...  

Cell adhesion to extracellular matrix components such as fibronectin has a complex basis, involving multiple determinants on the molecule that react with discrete cell surface macromolecules. Our previous results have demonstrated that normal and transformed cells adhere and spread on a 33-kD heparin binding fragment that originates from the carboxy-terminal end of particular isoforms (A-chains) of human fibronectin. This fragment promotes melanoma adhesion and spreading in an arginyl-glycyl-aspartyl-serine (RGDS) independent manner, suggesting that cell adhesion to this region of fibronectin is independent of the typical RGD/integrin-mediated binding. Two synthetic peptides from this region of fibronectin were recently identified that bound [3H]heparin in a solid-phase assay and promoted the adhesion and spreading of melanoma cells (McCarthy, J. B., M. K. Chelberg, D. J. Mickelson, and L. T. Furcht. 1988. Biochemistry. 27:1380-1388). The current studies further define the cell adhesion and heparin binding properties of one of these synthetic peptides. This peptide, termed peptide I, has the sequence YEKPGSP-PREVVPRPRPGV and represents residues 1906-1924 of human plasma fibronectin. In addition to promoting RGD-independent melanoma adhesion and spreading in a concentration-dependent manner, this peptide significantly inhibited cell adhesion to the 33-kD fragment or intact fibronectin. Polyclonal antibodies generated against peptide I also significantly inhibited cell adhesion to the peptide, to the 33-kD fragment, but had minimal effect on melanoma adhesion to fibronectin. Anti-peptide I antibodies also partially inhibited [3H]heparin binding to fibronectin, suggesting that peptide I represents a major heparin binding domain on the intact molecule. The cell adhesion activity of another peptide from the 33-kD fragment, termed CS1 (Humphries, M. J., A. Komoriya, S. K. Akiyama, K. Olden, and K. M. Yamada. 1987. J. Biol. Chem., 262:6886-6892) was contrasted with peptide I. Whereas both peptides promoted RGD-independent cell adhesion, peptide CS1 failed to bind heparin, and exogenous peptide CS1 failed to inhibit peptide I-mediated cell adhesion. The results demonstrate a role for distinct heparin-dependent and -independent cell adhesion determinants on the 33-kD fragment, neither of which are related to the RGD-dependent integrin interaction with fibronectin.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0254697
Author(s):  
Anne E. Roehrig ◽  
Kristina Klupsch ◽  
Juan A. Oses-Prieto ◽  
Selim Chaib ◽  
Stephen Henderson ◽  
...  

The PAF complex (PAFC) coordinates transcription elongation and mRNA processing and its CDC73/parafibromin subunit functions as a tumour suppressor. The NF2/Merlin tumour suppressor functions both at the cell cortex and nucleus and is a key mediator of contact inhibition but the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study we have used affinity proteomics to identify novel Merlin interacting proteins and show that Merlin forms a complex with multiple proteins involved in RNA processing including the PAFC and the CHD1 chromatin remodeller. Tumour-derived inactivating mutations in both Merlin and the CDC73 PAFC subunit mutually disrupt their interaction and growth suppression by Merlin requires CDC73. Merlin interacts with the PAFC in a cell density-dependent manner and we identify a role for FAT cadherins in regulating the Merlin-PAFC interaction. Our results suggest that in addition to its function within the Hippo pathway, Merlin is part of a tumour suppressor network regulated by cell-cell adhesion which coordinates post-initiation steps of the transcription cycle of genes mediating contact inhibition.


2001 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 847-862 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasreen Akhtar ◽  
Neil A. Hotchin

The establishment of cadherin-dependent cell–cell contacts in human epidermal keratinocytes are known to be regulated by the Rac1 small GTP-binding protein, although the mechanisms by which Rac1 participates in the assembly or disruption of cell–cell adhesion are not well understood. In this study we utilized green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged Rac1 expression vectors to examine the subcellular distribution of Rac1 and its effects on E-cadherin–mediated cell–cell adhesion. Microinjection of keratinocytes with constitutively active Rac1 resulted in cell spreading and disruption of cell–cell contacts. The ability of Rac1 to disrupt cell–cell adhesion was dependent on colony size, with large established colonies being resistant to the effects of active Rac1. Disruption of cell–cell contacts in small preconfluent colonies was achieved through the selective recruitment of E-cadherin–catenin complexes to the perimeter of multiple large intracellular vesicles, which were bounded by GFP-tagged L61Rac1. Similar vesicles were observed in noninjected keratinocytes when cell–cell adhesion was disrupted by removal of extracellular calcium or with the use of an E-cadherin blocking antibody. Moreover, formation of these structures in noninjected keratinocytes was dependent on endogenous Rac1 activity. Expression of GFP-tagged effector mutants of Rac1 in keratinocytes demonstrated that reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton was important for vesicle formation. Characterization of these Rac1-induced vesicles revealed that they were endosomal in nature and tightly colocalized with the transferrin receptor, a marker for recycling endosomes. Expression of GFP-L61Rac1 inhibited uptake of transferrin-biotin, suggesting that the endocytosis of E-cadherin was a clathrin-independent mechanism. This was supported by the observation that caveolin, but not clathrin, localized around these structures. Furthermore, an inhibitory form of dynamin, known to inhibit internalization of caveolae, inhibited formation of cadherin vesicles. Our data suggest that Rac1 regulates adherens junctions via clathrin independent endocytosis of E-cadherin.


1997 ◽  
Vol 139 (5) ◽  
pp. 1325-1335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Salomon ◽  
Paula A. Sacco ◽  
Sujata Guha Roy ◽  
Inbal Simcha ◽  
Keith R. Johnson ◽  
...  

β-Catenin and plakoglobin (γ-catenin) are closely related molecules of the armadillo family of proteins. They are localized at the submembrane plaques of cell–cell adherens junctions where they form independent complexes with classical cadherins and α-catenin to establish the link with the actin cytoskeleton. Plakoglobin is also found in a complex with desmosomal cadherins and is involved in anchoring intermediate filaments to desmosomal plaques. In addition to their role in junctional assembly, β-catenin has been shown to play an essential role in signal transduction by the Wnt pathway that results in its translocation into the nucleus. To study the relationship between plakoglobin expression and the level of β-catenin, and the localization of these proteins in the same cell, we employed two different tumor cell lines that express N-cadherin, and α- and β-catenin, but no plakoglobin or desmosomal components. Individual clones expressing various levels of plakoglobin were established by stable transfection. Plakoglobin overexpression resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the level of β-catenin in each clone. Induction of plakoglobin expression increased the turnover of β-catenin without affecting RNA levels, suggesting posttranslational regulation of β-catenin. In plakoglobin overexpressing cells, both β-catenin and plakoglobin were localized at cell– cell junctions. Stable transfection of mutant plakoglobin molecules showed that deletion of the N-cadherin binding domain, but not the α-catenin binding domain, abolished β-catenin downregulation. Inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in plakoglobin overexpressing cells blocked the decrease in β-catenin levels and resulted in accumulation of both β-catenin and plakoglobin in the nucleus. These results suggest that (a) plakoglobin substitutes effectively with β-catenin for association with N-cadherin in adherens junctions, (b) extrajunctional β-catenin is rapidly degraded by the proteasome-ubiquitin system but, (c) excess β-catenin and plakoglobin translocate into the nucleus.


1999 ◽  
Vol 145 (3) ◽  
pp. 539-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenichi Takahashi ◽  
Hiroyuki Nakanishi ◽  
Masako Miyahara ◽  
Kenji Mandai ◽  
Keiko Satoh ◽  
...  

We have isolated a novel actin filament–binding protein, named afadin, localized at cadherin-based cell–cell adherens junctions (AJs) in various tissues and cell lines. Afadin has one PDZ domain, three proline-rich regions, and one actin filament–binding domain. We found here that afadin directly interacted with a family of the immunoglobulin superfamily, which was isolated originally as the poliovirus receptor–related protein (PRR) family consisting of PRR1 and -2, and has been identified recently to be the alphaherpes virus receptor. PRR has a COOH-terminal consensus motif to which the PDZ domain of afadin binds. PRR and afadin were colocalized at cadherin-based cell–cell AJs in various tissues and cell lines. In E-cadherin–expressing EL cells, PRR was recruited to cadherin-based cell–cell AJs through interaction with afadin. PRR showed Ca2+-independent cell–cell adhesion activity. These results indicate that PRR is a cell–cell adhesion molecule of the immunoglobulin superfamily which is recruited to cadherin-based cell–cell AJs through interaction with afadin. We rename PRR as nectin (taken from the Latin word “necto” meaning “to connect”).


2010 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 613-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng‐Horng Lee ◽  
Roshan Padmashali ◽  
Piyush Koria ◽  
Stelios T. Andreacas

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