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p130-angiomotin associates to actin and controls endothelial cell shape
Mira Ernkvist1, Karin Aase, Chinwe Ukomadu
1Department of Oncology-Pathology, Cancer Centre Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
The FEBS Journal
|April 28, 2006
Summary
A newly identified 130 kDa angiomotin isoform (p130-angiomotin) associates with F-actin, altering endothelial cell shape. This contrasts with the 80 kDa form (p80-angiomotin), suggesting distinct roles in blood vessel formation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Angiomotin (80 kDa) is crucial for endothelial cell migration, invasion, and in vitro tube formation.
- Angiomotin belongs to a protein family with conserved coiled-coil domains and PDZ binding motifs.
- The family includes Amotl-1 and Amotl-2, suggesting shared functional mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel splice isoforms of angiomotin.
- To investigate the cellular localization and function of the newly identified 130 kDa angiomotin isoform (p130-angiomotin).
- To elucidate the distinct roles of p80-angiomotin and p130-angiomotin in cellular processes.
Main Methods:
- Identification of a 130 kDa angiomotin splice isoform.
- Cell transfection studies in vascular endothelial cells.
- Analysis of F-actin association and cellular morphology changes.
- Assessment of cell migration and response to angiostatin.
Main Results:
- A 130 kDa angiomotin splice isoform (p130-angiomotin) was identified in endothelial cells and placental cytotrophoblasts.
- p130-angiomotin associates with F-actin, inducing actin fiber formation and altering endothelial cell shape.
- Unlike p80-angiomotin, p130-angiomotin does not promote cell migration or respond to angiostatin.
- p130-angiomotin remains associated with actin even after cytochalasin B treatment.
Conclusions:
- p130-angiomotin plays a distinct role in regulating cell shape and actin cytoskeleton organization.
- p80-angiomotin and p130-angiomotin likely have coordinating functions in tube formation.
- p80-angiomotin influences cell migration, while p130-angiomotin affects cell shape.
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