Guidance of optic nerve fibres by N-cadherin adhesion molecules

The dendritic branches (neurites) of developing neurons migrate along specific pathways to reach their targets. It has been suggested that this migration is guided by factors present on the surface of other neurons or glial cells. The molecular nature of such factors, however, remains to be elucidated. N-cadherin is a cell-surface glycoprotein which belongs to the cadherin family of cell-cell adhesion molecules. This adhesion molecule is expressed in various neuronal cells as well as in glial cells of the central and peripheral nervous systems in vertebrate embryos and recent immunological studies suggested that N-cadherin may play a role in guiding the migration of neurites on myotubes or astrocytes. To further examine this possibility, we used a molecular-genetic approach; that is, we examined the outgrowth of chicken embryonic optic axons on monolayer cultures of Neuro 2a or L cells transfected with the complementary DNA encoding chicken N-cadherin. The data indicate that N-cadherin is used as a guide molecule for the migration of optic axons on cell surfaces.     

Alteration of cadherin isoform expression and inhibition of gap junctions in stomach carcinoma cells

To explore cell malignant phenotype correlated changes of cell surface adhesion molecules and cell-cell communication in carcinogenesis, human stomach transformed and cancer cell lines were investigated. Expressions of E-cadherin, N-cadherin,α-catenin, β-catenin as well as gap junction (GJ) protein Cx32 were studied by utilization of immunoblotting, immunocytochemical and fluorescent dye transfer methods. Mammalian normal stomach mucosal cells expressed E-cadherin but not N-cadherin. E-cadherin im-munofluorescence was detected at cell membranous adher-ens junctions (AJ) where colocalization with immunofluo-rescent staining of inner surface adhesion plaque proteins αnd β-catenins was observed. The existence of E-cadherin/ catenin (α-, β-) protein complexes as AJ was suggested. In transformed and stomach cancer cells E-cadherin was inhibited, instead, N-cadherin was expressed and localized at membranous AJ where co-staining with α- and β-catenin fluorescence was observed. Formation of N-cadherin/catenin (α-, β-) protein complex at AJs of transformed and cancer cells was suggested. The above observations were further supported by immunoblotting results. Normal stomach muscosal and transformed cells expressed Cx32 at membranous GJ and were competent of gap junction communication (GJIC). In stomach cancer cells, Cx32 was inhibited and GJIC was defective. The results suggested that changes of signal pathways mediated by both cell adhesion and cell communication systems are associated intracellular events of stomach carcinogenesis. The alteration of cadherin isoform from E- to N-cadherin in transformed and stomach cancer cells is the first report.     

The molecular architecture of cadherins in native epidermal desmosomes

Desmosomes are cadherin-based adhesive intercellular junctions, which are present in tissues such as heart and skin. Despite considerable efforts, the molecular interfaces that mediate adhesion remain obscure. Here we apply cryo-electron tomography of vitreous sections from human epidermis to visualize the three-dimensional molecular architecture of desmosomal cadherins at close-to-native conditions. The three-dimensional reconstructions show a regular array of densities at approximately 70 A intervals along the midline, with a curved shape resembling the X-ray structure of C-cadherin, a representative 'classical' cadherin. Model-independent three-dimensional image processing of extracted sub-tomograms reveals the cadherin organization. After fitting the C-cadherin atomic structure into the averaged sub-tomograms, we see a periodic arrangement of a trans W-like and a cis V-like interaction corresponding to molecules from opposing membranes and the same cell membrane, respectively. The resulting model of cadherin organization explains existing two-dimensional data and yields insights into a possible mechanism of cadherin-based cell adhesion.     

Differential inhibition of neurone-neurone, neurone-astrocyte and astrocyte-astrocyte adhesion by L1, L2 and N-CAM antibodies

The cell adhesion molecules L1, N-CAM and Ng-CAM have been implicated in cell-cell interactions among developing neural cells. L1 and N-CAM are structurally and functionally distinct molecular entities and act synergistically in mediating Ca2+-independent adhesion between re-aggregating early postnatal cerebellar cells. N-CAM has been reported to be neurone-specific in the chicken and to mediate fasciculation of neurites and of nerve-muscle interactions. L1, which in the central nervous system has been found only on post-mitotic neurones, mediates migration of granule cell neurones in the mouse cerebellar cortex. In view of the molecules' distinct effects on cell interactions, we wondered whether different neural cell types are involved in the actions of each molecule. Here we report that L1 antigen promotes neurone-neurone adhesion. N-CAM, which is expressed on both neurones and glia, mediates neurone-neurone, neurone-astrocyte and astrocyte-astrocyte adhesion. The L2 carbohydrate epitope shared between the two adhesion molecules seems to be involved in neurone-astrocyte and astrocyte-astrocyte adhesion and acts in a more than additive manner in N-CAM-mediated neurone-neurone adhesion.     

The expression of N-cadherin /catenins /actin complex in human lung normal and carcinoma cells

The difference between human normal and carcinoma lung cells was studied with regard to the protein expression level and localization of the cadherin/catenin/actin complex. Results demonstrated that normal lung cell RF expressed high levels of N-cadherin, β-catenin, α-catenin. These 3 proteins were colocalized at AJs and their submembrane adhesion plaques where they link the Rho-phalloidin-positive actin stress fibers, indicating the existence of N-cadherin/catenin/actin complexes at the AJs. Aberrant expression of AJ proteins and the actin cytoskelecton in carcinoma PG cells was observed: (1) inhibition of N-cadherin and to a degree of inhibition of α-catenin protein expression; (2) varied protein modification of β-catenin in cytoplasm soluble fraction and altered distribution of immunofluorescence: majorly in the cytoplasm and minorly on the membrane; (3) disassembly of actin stress fibers and formation of actin bodies in the cytoplasm. The data suggest that inhibited expression of AJ proteins is correlated with the disruption of the AJ complexes and the actin cytoskeleton in carcinoma PG cells, and responsible for its metastasis behaviors.     

A novel cell surface molecule on early B-lineage cells

B cells and their antibody-secreting progeny represent one of several differentiation pathways that haematopoietic stem cells (HSC) may enter. Cells representing intermediate stages between HSC and B cells have been identified in mammalian haematopoietic tissues and studied intensively over the past decade. This population of early B-lineage cells, termed pre-B, is characterized by cellular proliferation and an orderly cascade of immunoglobulin gene rearrangements, a combination of events leading to the generation of clonally diverse B cells which then migrate to peripheral lymphoid tissues. It remains to be determined what elements determine the polyclonal growth of pre-B cells, how immunoglobulin gene rearrangements are regulated, and what happens to pre-B cells undergoing 'non-productive' immunoglobulin gene rearrangements. These issues could be resolved more easily if early B-lineage cells could be identified precisely and isolated. Here, we describe a cell surface glycoprotein that is selectively expressed by pre-B and newly formed B cells in murine haematopoietic tissues. The molecule, a homodimer formed by disulphide-linked chains of relative molecular mass (Mr) 140,000, is identified by a mouse monoclonal alloantibody called BP-1.     

Transformation of cell adhesion properties by exogenously introduced E-cadherin cDNA

E-cadherin is a cell surface glycoprotein responsible for Ca2+-dependent intercellular adhesion between epithelial cells; it is also called uvomorulin, L-CAM (ref. 3), cell-CAM 120/80 (ref.4) or Arc-1 (ref. 5). Because blocking the action of E-cadherin by monoclonal antibodies causes dispersion of compact cell colonies, this molecule is thought to be an important factor for maintenance of multicellular systems. To demonstrate directly that E-cadherin is involved in cell-cell adhesion, we cloned full-length cDNA encoding E-cadherin from F9 cells and introduced it into L fibroblasts deficient in E-cadherin. These L cells acquire strong Ca2+-dependent aggregating activity by expressing the E-cadherin derived from the introduced cDNA and were morphologically transformed so as to form colonies in which cells were tightly connected to each other.     

Planar polarized actomyosin contractile flows control epithelial junction remodelling

Force generation by Myosin-II motors on actin filaments drives cell and tissue morphogenesis. In epithelia, contractile forces are resisted at apical junctions by adhesive forces dependent on E-cadherin, which also transmits tension. During Drosophila embryonic germband extension, tissue elongation is driven by cell intercalation, which requires an irreversible and planar polarized remodelling of epithelial cell junctions. We investigate how cell deformations emerge from the interplay between force generation and cortical force transmission during this remodelling in Drosophila melanogaster. The shrinkage of dorsal-ventral-oriented ('vertical') junctions during this process is known to require planar polarized junctional contractility by Myosin II (refs 4, 5, 7, 12). Here we show that this shrinkage is not produced by junctional Myosin II itself, but by the polarized flow of medial actomyosin pulses towards 'vertical' junctions. This anisotropic flow is oriented by the planar polarized distribution of E-cadherin complexes, in that medial Myosin II flows towards 'vertical' junctions, which have relatively less E-cadherin than transverse junctions. Our evidence suggests that the medial flow pattern reflects equilibrium properties of force transmission and coupling to E-cadherin by α-Catenin. Thus, epithelial morphogenesis is not properly reflected by Myosin II steady state distribution but by polarized contractile actomyosin flows that emerge from interactions between E-cadherin and actomyosin networks.     

Neuronal cell-cell adhesion depends on interactions of N-CAM with heparin-like molecules

Cell-cell interactions are of critical importance during neural development, particularly since the migration of neural cells and the establishment of functional interactions between growing axons and their target cells has been suggested to depend upon cell recognition processes. Neurone-neurone adhesion has been well studied in vitro, and is mediated in part by the neural cell adhesion molecule N-CAM. N-CAM-mediated cell-cell adhesion has been postulated to occur by a homophilic binding mechanism, in which N-CAM on the surface of one cell binds to N-CAM on a neighbouring cell. Studies in our laboratory have identified a cell surface glycoprotein, now known to be N-CAM, which participates in cell-substratum interactions in the developing chicken nervous system. Although this adhesion involves a homophilic binding mechanism, the binding of the cell surface proteoglycan heparan sulphate to the glycoprotein is also required. This raises the question of whether the binding of heparan sulphate to N-CAM is also required for cell-cell adhesion. Here we show that the binding of retinal probe cells to retinal cell monolayers is inhibited by heparin, a functional analogue of heparan sulphate, but not by chondroitin sulphate. Monoclonal antibodies that recognize two different domains on N-CAM, the homophilic-binding and heparin-binding domains, inhibit cell-cell adhesion. The heparin-binding domain isolated from N-CAM by selective proteolysis also inhibits cell-cell adhesion when bound to the probe cells.     

Cloning and characterization of a gene that regulates cell adhesion.

Molecules of the cadherin and integrin families involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion have been implicated in epithelial differentiation, carcinogenesis and metastasis. Having observed that a colon cancer cell line bound avidly to collagen type I, inducing integrin-triggered glandular differentiation, we investigated the regulation of integrin function in these cells. We modified a mammalian expression cloning system that used monoclonal antibody selection to clone cell surface molecules. Using attachment to collagen type I to select for adhesive phenotype, we isolated a complementary DNA clone that increases cell adhesion to components of the extracellular matrix. The corresponding gene (cell adhesion regulator, CAR) is located on the long arm of chromosome 16 (16q) and encodes a protein of 142 amino acids, which has an N-terminal myristoylation motif and a consensus tyrosine-kinase phosphorylation site at the C terminus. Removal of this tyrosine residue abolishes enhancement of cell-matrix adhesion. This gene may encode an adhesion signal transduction molecule that functions in the suppression of tumour invasion.     

Cadherin 23 and protocadherin 15 interact to form tip-link filaments in sensory hair cells

Hair cells of the inner ear are mechanosensors that transduce mechanical forces arising from sound waves and head movement into electrochemical signals to provide our sense of hearing and balance. Each hair cell contains at the apical surface a bundle of stereocilia. Mechanoelectrical transduction takes place close to the tips of stereocilia in proximity to extracellular tip-link filaments that connect the stereocilia and are thought to gate the mechanoelectrical transduction channel. Recent reports on the composition, properties and function of tip links are conflicting. Here we demonstrate that two cadherins that are linked to inherited forms of deafness in humans interact to form tip links. Immunohistochemical studies using rodent hair cells show that cadherin 23 (CDH23) and protocadherin 15 (PCDH15) localize to the upper and lower part of tip links, respectively. The amino termini of the two cadherins co-localize on tip-link filaments. Biochemical experiments show that CDH23 homodimers interact in trans with PCDH15 homodimers to form a filament with structural similarity to tip links. Ions that affect tip-link integrity and a mutation in PCDH15 that causes a recessive form of deafness disrupt interactions between CDH23 and PCDH15. Our studies define the molecular composition of tip links and provide a conceptual base for exploring the mechanisms of sensory impairment associated with mutations in CDH23 and PCDH15.     

An LFA-3 cDNA encodes a phospholipid-linked membrane protein homologous to its receptor CD2

Recently the human T cell erythrocyte receptor CD2 has been shown to bind human erythrocytes through LFA-3, a heavily glycosylated surface protein of broad tissue distribution. CD2-LFA-3 interactions are important for cytolytic conjugate formation, for thymocyte adhesion, and for T cell activation. A complementary DNA clone encoding LFA-3 was isolated using a complementary DNA clone encoding LFA-3 was isolated using a novel transient expression system of mouse cells. The cDNA encodes a phospholipid-linked membrane protein whose extracellular domain shares significant homology with CD2. As CD2 is homologous with the neural cell adhesion molecule NCAM in immunoglobulin-like domains, cellular adhesion molecules in both neural and lymphoid tissues could have a common ancestor.     

木犀草素对脉络膜恶性黑色素瘤细胞的影响

为探讨木犀草素调节Wnt/β-catenin信号通路对人脉络膜恶性黑色素瘤细胞(MuM-2C)凋亡、迁移和侵袭的影响,采用CCK-8法测定0,5,10,15,20,25μmol/L浓度木犀草素处理24 h后的MuM-2C活力,以筛选合适的药物作用浓度.将体外培养的MuM-2C随机分为3组：对照组、木犀草素组及木犀草素+氯化锂组,木犀草素组以15μmol/L木犀草素处理,木犀草素+氯化锂组以15μmol/L木犀草素和10μmol/L的氯化锂联合处理.采用流式细胞技术和Hoechst 33258染色检测MuM-2C的凋亡情况,采用划痕实验和Transwell实验检测各组MuM-2C的迁移、侵袭情况,采用免疫荧光检测各组MuM-2C中凋亡蛋白BAX与BCL-2表达,采用免疫印记检测各组MuM-2C中EMT标志蛋白(E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin)和Wnt/β-catenin信号相关蛋白(Wnt1,β-catenin)表达,结果表明：不同剂量木犀草素均可抑制MuM-2C生长,并在一定范围内随剂量升高而作用增强;与对照组比较,木犀草素组细胞核形态固缩而大小不一,...     

Haemonectin, a bone marrow adhesion protein specific for cells of granulocyte lineage

There is substantial evidence that the haematopoietic microenvironment is crucial to the growth and differentiation of haematopoietic cells. This microenvironment is composed of stromal cells, soluble factors and extracellular matrix (ECM). We have shown that a complex extract of bone marrow ECM can stimulate the growth and differentiation of haematopoietic cells in vitro. Furthermore, the use of inhibitors or stimulators of ECM synthesis in long-term marrow culture affects cell proliferation. On a molecular level, however, the interactions between ECM and haematopoietic cells are not well understood. We have investigated the adhesion between specific bone marrow ECM components and haematopoietic cells, and found a protein, 'haemonectin', of relative molecular mass 60,000 in bone marrow ECM which is a lineage- and organ-specific attachment molecule for cells of granulocyte lineage. This specificity distinguishes haemonectin from previously described adhesion proteins which have a wider tissue distribution and cell type specificity.     

Neural cell adhesion molecules and myelin-associated glycoprotein share a common carbohydrate moiety recognized by monoclonal antibodies L2 and HNK-1

Cell surface molecules have been implicated in cell interactions which underlie formation of the nervous system. The analysis of the functional properties of such molecules has profited from the combined use of antibodies and cell culture systems. It has been suggested that the interplay between these molecules modulates cell-to-cell interaction at critical developmental stages. In the mouse, N-CAM and L1 antigen have been shown to mediate Ca2+-independent adhesion among neural cells. N-CAM plays a role in fasciculation of neurites and formation of neuromuscular junction. L1 is apparently not involved in synaptogenesis, but in migration of granule cell neurones in the developing mouse cerebellar cortex. The two antigens are distinct molecular and functional entities which act synergistically in aggregation of neuroblastoma and early postnatal cerebellar cells. In view of a certain similarity in function between the two groups of molecules, it was not surprising to find that structural similarities are detectable by the monoclonal antibody L2. We show here that a carbohydrate moiety recognized by L2 and HNK-1 monoclonal antibodies, is present in mouse N-CAM and L1. The L2 epitope appears on all major neural cell types but not all N-CAM molecules express it. This heterogeneity points to a previously undetected molecular diversity which may have functional implications for modulating cell adhesion during development.     

桂枝茯苓汤含药血清对子宫内膜癌细胞的影响

为探究桂枝茯苓汤含药血清是否通过调控3-磷酸肌醇激酶(PI3K)、蛋白激酶B(AKT),参与调控子宫内膜癌细胞增殖、上皮-间质转化(EMT)与凋亡,将72只SD大鼠分为健康组、桂枝茯苓汤高剂量组、桂枝茯苓汤中剂量组、桂枝茯苓汤低剂量组和奥沙利铂组,对各组大鼠灌胃相应剂量药物,从大鼠的腹主动脉取血制备含药血清,培养子宫内膜癌HEC-B细胞,分为对照组、含药血清高剂量组、含药血清中剂量组、含药血清低剂量组、奥沙利铂血清组、含药血清高剂量+通路激活剂组,向各组细胞培养基中加入相应血清及试剂.采用四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT)法检测各组细胞增殖情况,流式细胞术检测各组细胞凋亡情况,Western Blot法检测EMT相关蛋白E-钙黏蛋白(E-cadherin)、细胞波形蛋白(Vimentin)、N-钙黏蛋白(N-cadherin)表达水平及PI3K/AKT通路相关蛋白磷酸化水平.结果表明：与对照组相比,含药血清高剂量组、含药血清中剂量组、含药血清低剂量组的细胞生存率、Vimentin和N-cadherin蛋白表达量、PI3K和AKT磷酸化程度均显著降低(P<0.05),细胞凋亡率、E-cadh...     

Antibodies to epithelial desmosomes show wide tissue and species cross-reactivity

Many workers regard cell adhesion as a highly specific phenomenon, believing that different molecular mechanisms are involved in the adhesion of cells of different tissues and different species. We believe that the evidence from cell behaviour is against this view and that cells share common adhesion mechanisms (for reviews see refs 1, 2); however, molecular evidence is lacking. As an approach to providing such evidence we have begun to study desmosomes, the cell-surface organelles responsible for strong intercellular adhesion in epithelia. We have raised antisera against each of five high-molecular weight (MW) desmosomal components. Having determined the specificity of our antisera by immunoblotting, we show here that each gives a staining pattern corresponding to the distribution of desmosomes in a range of tissues from different vertebrate species, demonstrating that desmosomal components are widely shared and highly conserved.     

Neural adhesion molecule L1 as a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily with binding domains similar to fibronectin

Diverse glycoproteins of cell surfaces and extracellular matrices operationally termed 'adhesion molecules' are important in the specification of cell interactions during development, maintenance and regeneration of the nervous system. These adhesion molecules have distinct functions involving different cells at different developmental stages, but may cooperate when expressed together. Families of adhesion molecules which share common carbohydrate domains do exist, despite the structural and functional diversity of these glycoproteins. These include the Ca2+-independent neural adhesion molecules: N-CAM, myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG) and L1. L1 is involved in neuron-neuron adhesion, neurite fasciculation, outgrowth of neurites, cerebellar granule cell migration, neurite outgrowth on Schwann cells and interactions among epithelial cells of intestinal crypts. We show here that in addition to sharing carbohydrate epitopes with N-CAM and MAG, L1 is also a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. It contains six C2 domains and also shares three type III domains with the extracellular matrix adhesion molecule fibronectin.