scholarly journals E–N-cadherin heterodimers define novel adherens junctions connecting endoderm-derived cells

2011 ◽  
Vol 195 (5) ◽  
pp. 873-887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beate K. Straub ◽  
Steffen Rickelt ◽  
Ralf Zimbelmann ◽  
Christine Grund ◽  
Caecilia Kuhn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Adherens Junctions ◽  
Tumor Biology ◽  
Intercellular Junctions ◽  
Pivotal Role ◽  
Major Portion ◽  
Tissue Development ◽  
Cadherin Switch ◽  
And Function ◽  
E Cadherin

Intercellular junctions play a pivotal role in tissue development and function and also in tumorigenesis. In epithelial cells, decrease or loss of E-cadherin, the hallmark molecule of adherens junctions (AJs), and increase of N-cadherin are widely thought to promote carcinoma progression and metastasis. In this paper, we show that this “cadherin switch” hypothesis does not hold for diverse endoderm-derived cells and cells of tumors derived from them. We show that the cadherins in a major portion of AJs in these cells can be chemically cross-linked in E–N heterodimers. We also show that cells possessing E–N heterodimer AJs can form semistable hemihomotypic AJs with purely N-cadherin–based AJs of mesenchymally derived cells, including stroma cells. We conclude that these heterodimers are the major AJ constituents of several endoderm-derived tissues and tumors and that the prevailing concept of antagonistic roles of these two cadherins in developmental and tumor biology has to be reconsidered.

scholarly journals Novel Membrane Protein shrew-1 Targets to Cadherin-Mediated Junctions in Polarized Epithelial Cells

2004 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 397-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanita Bharti ◽  
Heike Handrow-Metzmacher ◽  
Silvia Zickenheiner ◽  
Andreas Zeitvogel ◽  
Rudolf Baumann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Transmembrane Protein ◽  
Adherens Junctions ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Putative Open Reading Frame ◽  
Polarized Epithelial Cells ◽  
E Cadherin

While searching for potential candidate molecules relevant for the pathogenesis of endometriosis, we discovered a 2910-base pair cDNA encoding a novel putative 411-amino acid integral membrane protein that we called shrew-1. The putative open-reading frame was confirmed with antibodies against shrew-1 peptides that labeled a protein of ∼48 kDa in extracts of shrew-1 mRNA-positive tissue and also detected ectopically expressed shrew-1. Expression of epitope-tagged shrew-1 in epithelial cells and analysis by surface biotinylation and immunoblots demonstrated that shrew-1 is indeed a transmembrane protein. Shrew-1 is able to target to E-cadherin-mediated adherens junctions and interact with the E-cadherin–catenin complex in polarized MCF7 and Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, but not with the N-cadherin–catenin complex in nonpolarized epithelial cells. Direct interaction of shrew-1 with β-catenin in in vitro pull-down assay suggests that β-catenin might be one of the proteins that targets and/or retains shrew-1 in the adherens junctions. Interestingly, shrew-1 was partially translocated in response to scatter factor (ligand of receptor tyrosine kinase c-met) from the plasma membrane to the cytoplasm where it still colocalized with endogenous E-cadherin. In summary, we introduce shrew-1 as a novel component of adherens junctions, interacting with E-cadherin–β-catenin complexes in polarized epithelial cells.

scholarly journals Severe neonatal anemia increases intestinal permeability by disrupting epithelial adherens junctions

2020 ◽  
Vol 318 (4) ◽  
pp. G705-G716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishnan MohanKumar ◽  
Kopperuncholan Namachivayam ◽  
Nithya Sivakumar ◽  
Natascha G. Alves ◽  
Venkataramana Sidhaye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Intestinal Permeability ◽  
Adherens Junctions ◽  
Severe Anemia ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Mucosal Permeability ◽  
Chain Reactions ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Epithelial Junctions ◽  
E Cadherin

Anemia is a frequent diagnosis in critically ill infants, but the clinical implications of severe anemia in these patients remain unclear. In this study, we examined preweaned mice to investigate the effects of severe anemia during early infancy on gut mucosal permeability. C57BL/6 mice were subjected to timed phlebotomy between postnatal days (P) 2–10 to induce severe anemia (hematocrits 20%–24%), and intestinal permeability was tracked longitudinally between P10 and P20 as intestine-to-plasma translocation of enteral macromolecules and bacterial translocation. Epithelial junctions were evaluated by electron microscopy, polymerase chain reactions, immunohistochemistry, and/or enzyme immunoassays on intestinal tissues, Caco-2 intestinal epithelial-like cells, and colonic organoids. Preweaned mouse pups showed an age-related susceptibility to severe anemia, with increased intestinal permeability to enteral macromolecules (dextran, ovalbumin, β-lactoglobulin) and luminal bacteria. Electron micrographs showed increased paracellular permeability and ultrastructural abnormalities of the adherens junctions. These findings were explained by the loss of E-cadherin in epithelial cells, which was caused by destabilization of the E-cadherin ( Cdh1) mRNA because of microRNA let-7e-5p binding to the 3′-untranslated region. Severe anemia resulted in a disproportionate and persistent increase in intestinal permeability in preweaned mice because of the disruption of epithelial adherens junctions. These changes are mediated via microRNA let-7e-mediated depletion of Cdh1 mRNA. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This research article shows that newborn infants with severe anemia show an age-related susceptibility to developing increased intestinal permeability to ingested macromolecules. This abnormal permeability develops because of abnormalities in intestinal epithelial junctions caused by a deficiency of the molecule E-cadherin in epithelial cells. The deficiency of E-cadherin is caused by destabilization of its mRNA precursor because of increased expression and binding of another molecule, the microRNA let-7e-5p, to the E-cadherin mRNA.

scholarly journals Cross-Talk between Adherens Junctions and Desmosomes Depends on Plakoglobin

1997 ◽  
Vol 136 (4) ◽  
pp. 919-934 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jani E. Lewis ◽  
James K. Wahl ◽  
Kristin M. Sass ◽  
Pamela J. Jensen ◽  
Keith R. Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Adherens Junctions ◽  
Adherens Junction ◽  
Epithelial Cell Line ◽  
Cell Contact ◽  
Common Component ◽  
Classical Cadherins ◽  
E Cadherin

Squamous epithelial cells have both adherens junctions and desmosomes. The ability of these cells to organize the desmosomal proteins into a functional structure depends upon their ability first to organize an adherens junction. Since the adherens junction and the desmosome are separate structures with different molecular make up, it is not immediately obvious why formation of an adherens junction is a prerequisite for the formation of a desmosome. The adherens junction is composed of a transmembrane classical cadherin (E-cadherin and/or P-cadherin in squamous epithelial cells) linked to either β-catenin or plakoglobin, which is linked to α-catenin, which is linked to the actin cytoskeleton. The desmosome is composed of transmembrane proteins of the broad cadherin family (desmogleins and desmocollins) that are linked to the intermediate filament cytoskeleton, presumably through plakoglobin and desmoplakin. To begin to study the role of adherens junctions in the assembly of desmosomes, we produced an epithelial cell line that does not express classical cadherins and hence is unable to organize desmosomes, even though it retains the requisite desmosomal components. Transfection of E-cadherin and/or P-cadherin into this cell line did not restore the ability to organize desmosomes; however, overexpression of plakoglobin, along with E-cadherin, did permit desmosome organization. These data suggest that plakoglobin, which is the only known common component to both adherens junctions and desmosomes, must be linked to E-cadherin in the adherens junction before the cell can begin to assemble desmosomal components at regions of cell–cell contact. Although adherens junctions can form in the absence of plakoglobin, making use only of β-catenin, such junctions cannot support the formation of desmosomes. Thus, we speculate that plakoglobin plays a signaling role in desmosome organization.

scholarly journals The Interaction of JRAB/MICAL-L2 with Rab8 and Rab13 Coordinates the Assembly of Tight Junctions and Adherens Junctions

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 971-983 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rie Yamamura ◽  
Noriyuki Nishimura ◽  
Hiroyoshi Nakatsuji ◽  
Seiji Arase ◽  
Takuya Sasaki
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Tight Junctions ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Adherens Junctions ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Endocytic Recycling ◽  
E Cadherin

The assembly of tight junctions (TJs) and adherens junctions (AJs) is regulated by the transport of integral TJ and AJ proteins to and/or from the plasma membrane (PM) and it is tightly coordinated in epithelial cells. We previously reported that Rab13 and a junctional Rab13-binding protein (JRAB)/molecule interacting with CasL-like 2 (MICAL-L2) mediated the endocytic recycling of an integral TJ protein occludin and the formation of functional TJs. Here, we investigated the role of Rab13 and JRAB/MICAL-L2 in the transport of other integral TJ and AJ proteins claudin-1 and E-cadherin to the PM by using a Ca2+-switch model. Although knockdown of Rab13 specifically suppressed claudin-1 and occludin but not E-cadherin transport, knockdown of JRAB/MICAL-L2 and expression of its Rab13-binding domain (JRAB/MICAL-L2-C) inhibited claudin-1, occludin, and E-cadherin transport. We then identified Rab8 as another JRAB/MICAL-L2-C-binding protein. Knockdown of Rab8 inhibited the Rab13-independent transport of E-cadherin to the PM. Rab8 and Rab13 competed with each other for the binding to JRAB/MICAL-L2 and functionally associated with JRAB/MICAL-L2 at the perinuclear recycling/storage compartments and PM, respectively. These results suggest that the interaction of JRAB/MICAL-L2 with Rab8 and Rab13 coordinates the assembly of AJs and TJs.

Selective degradation of E-cadherin and dissolution of E-cadherin-catenin complexes in epithelial ischemia

2000 ◽  
Vol 278 (5) ◽  
pp. F847-F852 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin T. Bush ◽  
Tatsuo Tsukamoto ◽  
Sanjay K. Nigam
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Mdck Cells ◽  
Transmembrane Protein ◽  
Adherens Junction ◽  
Intercellular Junctions ◽  
Atp Depletion ◽  
Cell Phenotype ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Selective Degradation ◽  
E Cadherin

Ischemic epithelial cells are characterized by disruption of intercellular junctions and loss of apical-basolateral protein polarity, which are normally dependent on the integrity of the adherens junction (AJ). Biochemical analysis of both whole ischemic kidneys and ATP-depleted Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells demonstrated a striking loss of E-cadherin (the transmembrane protein of the AJ) with the appearance and accumulation of an ∼80-kDa fragment reactive with anti-E-cadherin antibodies on Western blots of ATP-depleted MDCK cells. This apparent ischemia-induced degradation of E-cadherin was not blocked by either inhibitors of the major proteolytic pathways (i.e., proteasome, lysosome, or calpain), or by chelation of intracellular calcium, suggesting the involvement of a protease capable of functioning at low ATP and low calcium levels. Immunocytochemistry revealed the movement of several proteins normally comprising the AJ, including E-cadherin and β-catenin, away from lateral portions of the plasma membrane to intracellular sites. Moreover, rate-zonal centrifugation and immunoprecipitation with anti-E-cadherin and anti-β-catenin antibodies indicated that ATP depletion disrupted normal E-cadherin-catenin interactions, resulting in the dissociation of α- and γ-catenin from E-cadherin and β-catenin-containing complexes. Because the generation and maintenance of polarized epithelial cells are dependent upon E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion and normal AJ function, we propose that the rapid degradation of E-cadherin and dissolution of the AJ is a key step in the development of the ischemic epithelial cell phenotype. Furthermore, we hypothesize that the reassembly of the AJ after ischemia/ATP depletion may require a novel bioassembly mechanism involving recombination of newly synthesized and sorted E-cadherin with preexisting pools of catenins that have (temporally) redistributed intracellularly.

scholarly journals E-cadherin redistribution mediated by Clostridioides difficile toxins increases spore-association to adherens junctions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Castro-Cordova ◽  
Macarena Otto-Medina ◽  
Borden Lacy ◽  
Daniel Paredes-Sabja
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial Cells ◽  
Adherens Junctions ◽  
Immunogold Labelling ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Clostridioides Difficile ◽  
Spore Adherence ◽  
E Cadherin

Nearly ~20% of patients with C. difficile infection (CDI) manifest recurrence of CDI (R-CDI). During CDI, C. difficile forms spores essential for R-CDI. Interactions of C. difficile spores with intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) contribute to R-CDI. However, this interaction remains poorly understood. Here, we provide evidence that C. difficile spores interact with E-cadherin, contributing to spore-adherence and internalization into IECs. C. difficile toxins TcdA/TcdB lead to adherens junctions opening and increase spore-adherence to IECs. Confocal micrographs demonstrate that C. difficile spores associate with accessible E-cadherin; spore-E-cadherin association increases upon TcdA/TcdB intoxication. The presence of anti-E-cadherin antibodies decreased spore adherence and entry into IECs. By ELISA, immunofluorescence, and immunogold labelling, we observed that E-cadherin binds to C. difficile spores, specifically to the hair-like projections of the spore. Overall, these results expand our knowledge of how C. difficile spores bind to IECs and how toxin-mediated damage affects spore interactions with IECs.

Regulation of adherens junctions and epithelial paracellular permeability: a novel function for polyamines

2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (5) ◽  
pp. C1174-C1187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Guo ◽  
Jaladanki N. Rao ◽  
Lan Liu ◽  
Tong-Tong Zou ◽  
Douglas J. Turner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Barrier Function ◽  
Adherens Junctions ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Intercellular Junctions ◽  
Paracellular Permeability ◽  
Epithelial Barrier ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial Barrier ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
E Cadherin

Maintenance of intestinal mucosal epithelial integrity requires polyamines that are involved in the multiple signaling pathways controlling gene expression and different epithelial cell functions. Integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier depends on a complex of proteins composing different intercellular junctions, including tight junctions, adherens junctions, and desmosomes. E-cadherin is primarily found at the adherens junctions and plays a critical role in cell-cell adhesions that are fundamental to formation of the intestinal epithelial barrier. The current study determined whether polyamines regulate intestinal epithelial barrier function by altering E-cadherin expression. Depletion of cellular polyamines by α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) reduced intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]cyt), decreased E-cadherin expression, and increased paracellular permeability in normal intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6 line). Polyamine depletion did not alter expression of tight junction proteins such as zona occludens (ZO)-1, ZO-2, and junctional adhesion molecule (JAM)-1. Addition of exogenous polyamine spermidine reversed the effects of DFMO on [Ca2+]cyt and E-cadherin expression and restored paracellular permeability to near normal. Elevation of [Ca2+]cyt by the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin increased E-cadherin expression in polyamine-deficient cells. In contrast, reduction of [Ca2+]cyt by polyamine depletion or removal of extracellular Ca2+ not only inhibited expression of E-cadherin mRNA but also decreased the half-life of E-cadherin protein. These results indicate that polyamines regulate intestinal epithelial paracellular barrier function by altering E-cadherin expression and that polyamines are essential for E-cadherin expression at least partially through [Ca2+]cyt.

scholarly journals Tyrosine phosphorylation regulates the adhesions of ras-transformed breast epithelia.

1995 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
pp. 461-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
M S Kinch ◽  
G J Clark ◽  
C J Der ◽  
K Burridge
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Tyrosine Phosphorylation ◽  
Tyrosine Kinases ◽  
Adherens Junctions ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Transformed Cells ◽  
Beta Catenin ◽  
Altered Cell ◽  
E Cadherin

Transformed epithelial cells often are characterized by a fibroblastic or mesenchymal morphology. These cells exhibit altered cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions. Here we have identified changes in the adhesions and cytoskeletal interactions of transformed epithelial cells that contribute to their altered morphology. Using MCF-10A human breast epithelial cells as a model system, we have found that transformation by an activated form of ras is characterized by less developed adherens-type junctions between cells but increased focal adhesions. Contributing to the modified adherens junctions of the transformed cells are decreased interactions among beta-catenin, E-cadherin, and the actin cytoskeleton. The ras-transformed cells reveal elevated phosphotyrosine in many proteins, including beta-catenin and p120 Cas. Whereas in the normal cells beta-catenin is found in association with E-cadherin, p120 Cas is not. In the ras-transformed cells, the situation is reversed; tyrosine-phosphorylated p120 Cas, but not tyrosine-phosphorylated beta-catenin, now is detected in E-cadherin complexes. The tyrosine-phosphorylated beta-catenin also shows increased detergent solubility, suggesting a decreased association with the actin cytoskeleton. p120 Cas, whether tyrosine phosphorylated or not, partitions into the detergent soluble fraction, suggesting that it is not tightly bound to the actin cytoskeleton in either the normal or ras-transformed cells. Inhibitors of tyrosine kinases decrease the level of tyrosine phosphorylation and restore a normal epithelial morphology to the ras-transformed cells. In particular, decreased tyrosine phosphorylation of beta-catenin is accompanied by increased interaction with both E-cadherin and the detergent insoluble cytoskeletal fraction. These results suggest that elevated tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins such as beta-catenin and p120 Cas contribute to the altered adherens junctions of ras-transformed epithelia.

scholarly journals Tricellular junctions: how to build junctions at the TRICkiest points of epithelial cells

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (15) ◽  
pp. 2023-2034 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomohito Higashi ◽  
Ann L. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Tight Junctions ◽  
Barrier Function ◽  
Hot Spots ◽  
Adherens Junctions ◽  
New Model ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
And Function ◽  
Molecular Components

Tricellular contacts are the places where three cells meet. In vertebrate epithelial cells, specialized structures called tricellular tight junctions (tTJs) and tricellular adherens junctions (tAJs) have been identified. tTJs are important for the maintenance of barrier function, and disruption of tTJ proteins contributes to familial deafness. tAJs have recently been attracting the attention of mechanobiologists because these sites are hot spots of epithelial tension. Although the molecular components, regulation, and function of tTJs and tAJs, as well as of invertebrate tricellular junctions, are beginning to be characterized, many questions remain. Here we broadly cover what is known about tricellular junctions, propose a new model for tension transmission at tAJs, and discuss key open questions.

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