scholarly journals A complex of Protocadherin-19 and N-cadherin mediates a novel mechanism of cell adhesion

2011 ◽  
Vol 195 (7) ◽  
pp. 1115-1121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle R. Emond ◽  
Sayantanee Biswas ◽  
Cheasequah J. Blevins ◽  
James D. Jontes
Keyword(s):  
Cell Adhesion ◽  
Adhesion Molecules ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Cell Interactions ◽  
Homophilic Binding ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Classical Cadherins ◽  
Dependent Cell ◽  
Embryonic Morphogenesis ◽  
Cadherin Superfamily

During embryonic morphogenesis, adhesion molecules are required for selective cell–cell interactions. The classical cadherins mediate homophilic calcium-dependent cell adhesion and are founding members of the large and diverse cadherin superfamily. The protocadherins are the largest subgroup within this superfamily, yet their participation in calcium-dependent cell adhesion is uncertain. In this paper, we demonstrate a novel mechanism of adhesion, mediated by a complex of Protocadherin-19 (Pcdh19) and N-cadherin (Ncad). Although Pcdh19 alone is only weakly adhesive, the Pcdh19–Ncad complex exhibited robust adhesion in bead aggregation assays, and Pcdh19 appeared to play the dominant role. Adhesion by the Pcdh19–Ncad complex was unaffected by mutations that disrupt Ncad homophilic binding but was inhibited by a mutation in Pcdh19. In addition, the complex exhibited homophilic specificity, as beads coated with Pcdh19–Ncad did not intermix with Ncad- or Pcdh17–Ncad-coated beads. We propose a model in which association of a protocadherin with Ncad acts as a switch, converting between distinct binding specificities.

scholarly journals Glycosyl phosphatidylinositol--anchored T-cadherin mediates calcium-dependent, homophilic cell adhesion.

1992 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 451-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
D J Vestal ◽  
B Ranscht
Keyword(s):  
Cell Adhesion ◽  
Homophilic Binding ◽  
Transfected Cells ◽  
Glycosyl Phosphatidylinositol ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Monolayer Cultures ◽  
Classical Cadherins ◽  
Intracellular Proteins ◽  
Cellular Aggregation ◽  
Homophilic Adhesion

Cadherins are a family of cell adhesion molecules that exhibit calcium-dependent, homophilic binding. Their function depends on both an HisAlaVal sequence in the first extracellular domain, EC1, and the interaction of a conserved cytoplasmic region with intracellular proteins. T-cadherin is an unusual member of the cadherin family that lacks the HisAlaVal motif and is anchored to the membrane through a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol moiety (Ranscht, B., and M. T. Dours-Zimmermann. 1991. Neuron. 7:391-402). To assay the function of T-cadherin in cell adhesion, we have transfected T-cadherin cDNA into CHO cells. Two proteins, mature T-cadherin and the uncleaved T-cadherin precursor, were produced from T-cadherin cDNA. The T-cadherin proteins differed from classical cadherins in several aspects. First, the uncleaved T-cadherin precursor was expressed, together with mature T-cadherin, on the surface of the transfected cells. Second, in the absence of calcium, T-cadherin was more resistant to proteolytic cleavage than other cadherins. Lastly, in contrast to classical cadherins, T-cadherin was not concentrated into cell-cell contacts between transfected cells in monolayer cultures. In cellular aggregation assays, T-cadherin induced calcium-dependent, homophilic adhesion which was abolished by treatment of T-cadherin-transfected cells with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C. These results demonstrate that T-cadherin is a functional cadherin that differs in several properties from classical cadherins. The function of T-cadherin in homophilic cell recognition implies that the mechanism of T-cadherin-induced adhesion is distinct from that of classical cadherins.

Calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecules

1989 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
pp. 892-897 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Kemler ◽  
M. Ozawa ◽  
M. Ringwald
Keyword(s):  
Cell Adhesion ◽  
Adhesion Molecules ◽  
Cell Adhesion Molecules ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Dependent Cell

scholarly journals Calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecules (cadherins): subclass specificities and possible involvement of actin bundles.

1987 ◽  
Vol 105 (6) ◽  
pp. 2501-2510 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Hirano ◽  
A Nose ◽  
K Hatta ◽  
A Kawakami ◽  
M Takeichi
Keyword(s):  
Cell Adhesion ◽  
Adhesion Molecules ◽  
Cell Adhesion Molecules ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Apical Region ◽  
Cell Sheets ◽  
Actin Bundles ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Dependent Cell ◽  
Cell Cell

Cadherins are a family of cell-cell adhesion molecules and are divided into subclasses with distinct adhesive specificities and tissue distribution. Here we examined the distribution of cadherins at contact sites between cells expressing the same or different cadherin subclasses. Each cadherin was concentrated at the boundary between cells expressing an identical cadherin subclass, irrespective of the cell types connected. However, such localization decreased or disappeared at the boundary between cells containing different cadherin subclasses. We also found that the localization of cadherins precisely coincided with that of actin bundles; both were detected at the apical region of cell sheets. This co-localization was retained even after cells were either treated with cytochalasin D or extracted with the detergent NP40. These results suggest that each cadherin subclass preferentially interacts with its own molecular type at intercellular boundaries, and that cadherin molecules may be associated with actin-based cytoskeletal elements.

scholarly journals Stick around: Cell–Cell Adhesion Molecules during Neocortical Development

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 118
Author(s):  
David de Agustín-Durán ◽  
Isabel Mateos-White ◽  
Jaime Fabra-Beser ◽  
Cristina Gil-Sanz
Keyword(s):  
Cell Adhesion ◽  
Adhesion Molecules ◽  
Cell Adhesion Molecules ◽  
Neural Cells ◽  
Surface Receptors ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Neocortical Development ◽  
Classical Cadherins ◽  
Adhesive Interactions ◽  
Cell Cell

The neocortex is an exquisitely organized structure achieved through complex cellular processes from the generation of neural cells to their integration into cortical circuits after complex migration processes. During this long journey, neural cells need to establish and release adhesive interactions through cell surface receptors known as cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). Several types of CAMs have been described regulating different aspects of neurodevelopment. Whereas some of them mediate interactions with the extracellular matrix, others allow contact with additional cells. In this review, we will focus on the role of two important families of cell–cell adhesion molecules (C-CAMs), classical cadherins and nectins, as well as in their effectors, in the control of fundamental processes related with corticogenesis, with special attention in the cooperative actions among the two families of C-CAMs.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document