Assembly of the cadherin-catenin complex in vitro with recombinant proteins

1994 ◽  
Vol 107 (12) ◽  
pp. 3655-3663 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Aberle ◽  
S. Butz ◽  
J. Stappert ◽  
H. Weissig ◽  
R. Kemler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cytoplasmic Domain ◽  
Beta Catenin ◽  
Molecular Architecture ◽  
Adhesive Properties ◽  
Protein Protein Interaction ◽  
Signalling Molecules ◽  
Classical Cadherins ◽  
E Cadherin

The cytoplasmic domain of classical cadherins is tightly associated with three proteins termed alpha-, beta- and gamma-catenin. These accessory proteins are of central importance for the adhesive properties of this class of cell adhesion molecules. In order to examine the molecular architecture of the cadherin-catenin complex in more detail we have expressed the catenins and the cytoplasmic domain of E-cadherin as fusion proteins in Escherichia coli, and analyzed the interaction of purified recombinant cadherin and catenins in combinatorial protein-protein interaction experiments. The cytoplasmic domain of E-cadherin cannot directly associate with alpha-catenin but interacts with high affinity with beta-catenin, whereas the binding of gamma-catenin (plakoglobin) to E-cadherin is less efficient. alpha- and beta-catenin assemble into a 1:1 heterodimeric complex. The analysis of various truncated beta-catenins revealed that an alpha-catenin binding site in beta-catenin is localized between amino acid positions 120 and 151. The central role of beta-catenin for the assembly of the heterotrimeric E-cadherin/alpha-catenin/beta-catenin complex in mixing experiments with all components was demonstrated. The reconstitution in vitro of the cadherin-catenin complex should allow the study of the interaction with signalling molecules and with the actin-based cytoskeleton.

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 p38β - MAPK11 and its role in female cancers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Periklis Katopodis ◽  
Rachel Kerslake ◽  
Athanasios Zikopoulos ◽  
Nefeli Eirini Beri ◽  
Vladimir Anikin
Keyword(s):  
Cpg Island ◽  
Methylation Status ◽  
Cpg Islands ◽  
Her2 Status ◽  
Tissue Specific ◽  
Cancer Data ◽  
Signalling Molecules ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background The p38MAPK family of Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases are a group of signalling molecules involved in cell growth, survival, proliferation and differentiation. The widely studied p38α isoform is ubiquitously expressed and is implicated in a number of cancer pathologies, as are p38γ and p38δ. However, the mechanistic role of the isoform, p38β, remains fairly elusive. Recent studies suggest a possible role of p38β in both breast and endometrial cancer with research suggesting involvement in bone metastasis and cancer cell survival. Female tissue specific cancers such as breast, endometrial, uterine and ovary account for over 3,000,000 cancer related incidents annually; advancements in therapeutics and treatment however require a deeper understanding of the molecular aetiology associated with these diseases. This study provides an overview of the MAPK signalling molecule p38β (MAPK11) in female cancers using an in-silico approach. Methods A detailed gene expression and methylation analysis was performed using datasets from cBioportal, CanSar and MEXPRESS. Breast, Uterine Endometrial, Cervical, Ovarian and Uterine Carcinosarcoma TCGA cancer datasets were used and analysed.Results Data using cBioportal and CanSAR suggest that expression of p38β is lower in cancers: BRCA, UCEC, UCS, CESC and OV compared to normal tissue. Methylation data from SMART and MEXPRESS indicate significant probe level variation of CpG island methylation status of the gene MAPK11. Analysis of the genes’ two CpG islands shows that the gene was hypermethylated in the CpG1 with increased methylation seen in BRCA, CESC and UCEC cancer data sets with a slight increase of expression recorded in cancer samples. CpG2 exhibited hypomethylation with no significant difference between samples and high levels of expression. Further analysis from MEXPRESS revealed no significance between probe methylation and altered levels of expression. In addition, no difference in the expression of BRCA oestrogen/progesterone/HER2 status was seen. Conclusion This data provides an overview of the expression of p38β in female tissue specific cancers, showing a decrease in expression of the gene in BRCA, UCEC, CESC, UCS and OV, increasing the understanding of p38β MAPK expression and offering insight for future in-vitro investigation and therapeutic application.

scholarly journals Wnt/beta-catenin signalling is dispensable for adult neural stem cell homeostasis and activation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie H. L. Austin ◽  
Lachlan Harris ◽  
Oana Paun ◽  
Piero Rigo ◽  
François Guillemot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Beta Catenin ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Direct Role ◽  
Adult Nscs ◽  
Hippocampal Networks ◽  
Dose Dependent

AbstractAdult mouse hippocampal neural stem cells (NSCs) generate new neurons that integrate into existing hippocampal networks and modulate mood and memory. These NSCs are largely quiescent and are stimulated by niche signals to activate and produce neurons. Wnt/β-catenin signalling acts at different steps along the hippocampal neurogenic lineage and has been shown to promote the proliferation of intermediate progenitor cells. However, whether it has a direct role in the regulation of NSCs still remains unclear. Here we used Wnt/β-catenin reporters and transcriptomic data from in vivo and in vitro models to show that both active and quiescent adult NSCs respond to Wnt/β-catenin signalling. Wnt/β-catenin stimulation instructed neuronal differentiation of active NSCs and promoted the activation or differentiation of quiescent NSCs in a dose-dependent manner. However, we found that inhibiting NSCs response to Wnt, by conditionally deleting β-catenin, did not affect their activation or maintenance of their stem cell characteristics. Together, our results indicate that whilst NSCs do respond to Wnt/β-catenin stimulation in a dose-dependent and state-specific manner, Wnt/β-catenin signalling is not cell-autonomously required to maintain NSC homeostasis, which could reconcile some of the contradictions in the literature as to the role of Wnt/β-catenin signalling in adult hippocampal NSCs.

scholarly journals VE-cadherin endocytosis controls vascular integrity and patterning during development

2020 ◽  
Vol 219 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia M. Grimsley-Myers ◽  
Robin H. Isaacson ◽  
Chantel M. Cadwell ◽  
Jazmin Campos ◽  
Marina S. Hernandes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mutant Mice ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Adhesive Properties ◽  
Vascular Integrity ◽  
P120 Catenin ◽  
Mouse Mutants ◽  
Dynamic Cell ◽  
And Migration

Tissue morphogenesis requires dynamic intercellular contacts that are subsequently stabilized as tissues mature. The mechanisms governing these competing adhesive properties are not fully understood. Using gain- and loss-of-function approaches, we tested the role of p120-catenin (p120) and VE-cadherin (VE-cad) endocytosis in vascular development using mouse mutants that exhibit increased (VE-cadGGG/GGG) or decreased (VE-cadDEE/DEE) internalization. VE-cadGGG/GGG mutant mice exhibited reduced VE-cad-p120 binding, reduced VE-cad levels, microvascular hemorrhaging, and decreased survival. By contrast, VE-cadDEE/DEE mutants exhibited normal vascular permeability but displayed microvascular patterning defects. Interestingly, VE-cadDEE/DEE mutant mice did not require endothelial p120, demonstrating that p120 is dispensable in the context of a stabilized cadherin. In vitro, VE-cadDEE mutant cells displayed defects in polarization and cell migration that were rescued by uncoupling VE-cadDEE from actin. These results indicate that cadherin endocytosis coordinates cell polarity and migration cues through actin remodeling. Collectively, our results indicate that regulated cadherin endocytosis is essential for both dynamic cell movements and establishment of stable tissue architecture.

Cadherin binding sites of plakoglobin: localization, specificity and role in targeting to adhering junctions

1996 ◽  
Vol 109 (13) ◽  
pp. 3069-3078 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.B. Troyanovsky ◽  
N.A. Chitaev ◽  
S.M. Troyanovsky
Keyword(s):  
Binding Sites ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Adherens Junctions ◽  
Cell Junctions ◽  
Intact Protein ◽  
Chimeric Proteins ◽  
Beta Catenin ◽  
Repeat Region ◽  
E Cadherin

Plakoglobin directly interacts with cadherins and plays an essential role in the assembly of adherens junctions and desmosomes. Recently we have reported that multiple cadherin binding sites are localized along the arm repeat region of plakoglobin. To demonstrate functionally and specificity of these sites in vivo we constructed a set of chimeric proteins containing a plakoglobin sequence fused with the transmembrane vesicular protein synaptophysin. Plakoglobin fused upstream or downstream from synaptophysin (PgSy and SyPg, chimeras, respectively) is exposed on the cytoplasmic surface of synaptic-like vesicles and is able to associate with E-cadherin, and with two desmosomal cadherins, desmoglein and desmocollin. Moreover, plakoglobin targets these vesicles to cell-cell junctions. Insertion of synaptophysin within plakoglobin (PSyG chimeras) can interfere with cadherin binding of the resulting chimeric proteins, dependent on the position of the insertion. Insertion of synaptophysin in the first three arm repeats selectively inactivates plakoglobin binding to desmoglein and desmocollin. An insertion of synaptophysin within the next two repeats inactivates E-cadherin and desmocollin binding but not desmoglein binding. This localization of the desmoglein and E-cadherin binding sites was further confirmed by replacement of plakoglobin arm repeats with the corresponding sequence derived from the plakoglobin homologue, beta-catenin, and by deletion mutagenesis. Insertion of synaptophysin in most sites within arm repeats 6–13 does not change plakoglobin binding to cadherins. It does, however, strongly inhibit association of the resulting vesicles either with desmosomes and adherens junctions or with desmosomes only. Using in vitro binding assays we demonstrate that arm repeats 6–13 contain two cryptic cadherin binding sites that are masked in the intact protein. These observations suggest that the arm repeat region of plakoglobin is comprises two functionally distinct regions: the 1/5 region containing desmoglein and E-cadherin specific binding sites and the 6/13 region implicated in targeting of plakoglobin/cadherin complexes into junctional structures.

The armadillo repeat region targets ARVCF to cadherin-based cellular junctions

2000 ◽  
Vol 113 (22) ◽  
pp. 4121-4135 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Kaufmann ◽  
C. Zuppinger ◽  
Z. Waibler ◽  
M. Rudiger ◽  
C. Urbich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Mutational Analysis ◽  
Transmembrane Protein ◽  
Cytoplasmic Domain ◽  
Cell Contact ◽  
Beta Catenin ◽  
Repeat Region ◽  
Mcf7 Cells ◽  
Armadillo Repeat

The cytoplasmic domain of the transmembrane protein M-cadherin is involved in anchoring cytoskeletal elements to the plasma membrane at cell-cell contact sites. Several members of the armadillo repeat protein family mediate this linkage. We show here that ARVCF, a member of the p120 (ctn) subfamily, is a ligand for the cytoplasmic domain of M-cadherin, and characterize the regions involved in this interaction in detail. Complex formation in an in vivo environment was demonstrated in (1) yeast two-hybrid screens, using a cDNA library from differentiating skeletal muscle and part of the cytoplasmic M-cadherin tail as a bait, and (2) mammalian cells, using a novel experimental system, the MOM recruitment assay. Immunoprecipitation and in vitro binding assays confirmed this interaction. Ectopically expressed EGFP-ARVCF-C11, an N-terminal truncated fragment, targets to junctional structures in epithelial MCF7 cells and cardiomyocytes, where it colocalizes with the respective cadherins, beta-catenin and p120 (ctn). Hence, the N terminus of ARVCF is not required for junctional localization. In contrast, deletion of the four N-terminal armadillo repeats abolishes this ability in cardiomyocytes. Detailed mutational analysis revealed the armadillo repeat region of ARVCF as sufficient and necessary for interaction with the 55 membrane-proximal amino acids of the M-cadherin tail.

Expression of E- or P-cadherin is not sufficient to modify the morphology and the tumorigenic behavior of murine spindle carcinoma cells. Possible involvement of plakoglobin

1993 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 923-934 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Navarro ◽  
E. Lozano ◽  
A. Cano
Keyword(s):  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
In Vitro Assay ◽  
Carcinoma Cells ◽  
Beta Catenin ◽  
Vitro Assay ◽  
Cell Extracts ◽  
Spindle Cells ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
E Cadherin

Transfection of E- and P-cadherin cDNA has been carried out in murine spindle carcinoma cells previously shown to be deficient in both cadherins (Navarro et al., J. Cell Biol. 115, 517–533, 1991). High levels of expression of E- or P-cadherin do not significantly affect the fibroblastic morphology of the parental spindle cells. In addition, the tumorigenic behavior of these highly malignant cells is not influenced by the ectopic expression of either cadherin. Nevertheless, a fraction of the exogenous cadherins is able to associate to detergent-insoluble components of the transfectant cells, and the expression of the exogenous E-cadherin confers Ca(2+)-dependent aggregation on the spindle transfectants in an in vitro assay. Immunoprecipitation analysis of the cadherin-catenin complex of the transfectants revealed that the ectopic E-cadherin associates with the alpha- and beta-catenin proteins. However, the gamma-catenin/plakoglobin component could not be detected in the E-cadherin immunocomplexes of the spindle transfectant cells, in contrast to the epithelial cells where the three catenins appeared to be associated with E-cadherin. The lack of association of gamma-catenin is correlated with very low levels of plakoglobin in whole cell extracts of the parental spindle cells. These results indicate that the association of E-cadherin with the alpha- and beta-catenin components is not sufficient to promote a fibroblastoid-epithelial conversion of highly malignant spindle cells. The presence of plakoglobin could be required for the proper organization of E-cadherin in the transfectant cells in order to acquire an epithelioid phenotype.

scholarly journals METTL3-mediated N6-methyladenosine modification is critical for epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis of gastric cancer

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Yue ◽  
Chenlong Song ◽  
Linxi Yang ◽  
Ran Cui ◽  
Xingwang Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Qrt Pcr ◽  
Rna Immunoprecipitation ◽  
E Cadherin

Abstract Background As one of the most frequent chemical modifications in eukaryotic mRNAs, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification exerts important effects on mRNA stability, splicing, and translation. Recently, the regulatory role of m6A in tumorigenesis has been increasingly recognized. However, dysregulation of m6A and its functions in tumor epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis remain obscure. Methods qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate the expression of methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) in gastric cancer (GC). The effects of METTL3 on GC metastasis were investigated through in vitro and in vivo assays. The mechanism of METTL3 action was explored through transcriptome-sequencing, m6A-sequencing, m6A methylated RNA immunoprecipitation quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (MeRIP qRT-PCR), confocal immunofluorescent assay, luciferase reporter assay, co-immunoprecipitation, RNA immunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Results Here, we show that METTL3, a major RNA N6-adenosine methyltransferase, was upregulated in GC. Clinically, elevated METTL3 level was predictive of poor prognosis. Functionally, we found that METTL3 was required for the EMT process in vitro and for metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, we unveiled the METTL3-mediated m6A modification profile in GC cells for the first time and identified zinc finger MYM-type containing 1 (ZMYM1) as a bona fide m6A target of METTL3. The m6A modification of ZMYM1 mRNA by METTL3 enhanced its stability relying on the “reader” protein HuR (also known as ELAVL1) dependent pathway. In addition, ZMYM1 bound to and mediated the repression of E-cadherin promoter by recruiting the CtBP/LSD1/CoREST complex, thus facilitating the EMT program and metastasis. Conclusions Collectively, our findings indicate the critical role of m6A modification in GC and uncover METTL3/ZMYM1/E-cadherin signaling as a potential therapeutic target in anti-metastatic strategy against GC.

scholarly journals Cooperative Activation of Human Papillomavirus Type 8 Gene Expression by the E2 Protein and the Cellular Coactivator p300

2002 ◽  
Vol 76 (21) ◽  
pp. 11042-11053 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Müller ◽  
Andreas Ritzkowsky ◽  
Gertrud Steger
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Regulatory Region ◽  
Keratinocyte Differentiation ◽  
E2 Protein ◽  
Protein Protein Interaction ◽  
Cooperative Activation

ABSTRACT The E2 proteins of papillomaviruses (PV) bind to the coactivator CBP/p300 as do many other transcription factors, but the precise role of CBP/p300 in E2-specific functions is not yet understood. We show that the E2 protein of human PV type 8 (HPV8) directly binds to p300. Activation of HPV8 gene expression by low amounts of HPV8 E2 was stimulated up to sevenfold by coexpression of p300. The interaction between E2 and p300 may play a role in differentiation-dependent activation of PV gene expression, since we can show that the expression level of p300 increases during keratinocyte differentiation. Surprisingly, sequence-specific binding of E2 to its recognition sites within the regulatory region of HPV8 is not necessary for this cooperation, indicating that E2 can be recruited to the promoter via protein-protein interaction. HPV8 E2 binds via its N-terminal activation domain (AD), its C-terminal DNA binding domain (DBD), and its internal hinge region to p300 in vitro. Transient-transfection assays revealed that the AD is necessary and sufficient for cooperative activation with p300. However, we provide evidence that the interaction of the hinge and the DBD of HPV8 E2 with p300 may contribute. Our data suggest an important role of p300 in regulation of HPV8 gene expression and reveal a new mechanism by which E2 may be recruited to a promoter to activate transcription without sequence specific DNA binding.

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