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Molecular recognition between glyconectins as an adhesion self-assembly pathway to multicellularity
Gradimir N Misevic1, Yann Guerardel, Lazar T Sumanovski
1Laboratoire des Processus Intégratifs Cellulaires, UMR 6037 CNRS, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques de Rouen, 76821 Mont St Aignan Cedex, France. gradimir@gradimir.com
The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|January 1, 2004
Summary
Large cell surface molecules called glyconectins (GNs) from sponges show species-specific adhesion and recognition, crucial for distinguishing self from non-self in early multicellular life.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Biochemistry
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Multicellularity requires cells to maintain integrity and differentiate self from non-self.
- Large cell surface glycoconjugates are candidates for primordial adhesion and recognition functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate molecular self-recognition of glyconectins (GNs) from three Porifera species as a model for self/non-self discrimination.
- To characterize the structure and function of these GNs.
Main Methods:
- Purification and physicochemical/biochemical characterization of GNs, glycans, and peptides.
- Techniques included gel electrophoresis, ultracentrifugation, NMR, mass spectrometry, enzyme treatment, and various assays (bead, cell, blotting).
- Generation of affinity-purified antibodies against GN glycans.
Main Results:
- GNs represent a new family of proteoglycan-like molecules with species-specific structures.
- GNs exhibit species-specific recognition and adhesion in functional assays.
- Antibodies against GN glycans selectively inhibited species-specific cell adhesion.
Conclusions:
- GN glycans are functional in cell recognition and adhesion, mediating species-specific interactions.
- These interactions are comparable in selectivity to the immunoglobulin superfamily.
- Primordial glyconectin recognition offers a new paradigm for cellular adhesion and the evolution of multicellularity.