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Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules
Published on: October 17, 2014
Biophysical properties of cadherin bonds do not predict cell sorting
Quanming Shi1, Yuan-Hung Chien, Deborah Leckband
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.
The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|June 17, 2008
Summary
Cell sorting in embryogenesis is not solely determined by cadherin bond strength. Biophysical properties of cadherin bonds do not correlate with cell sorting outcomes, suggesting other factors are involved.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Biophysics
- Developmental biology
Background:
- Differential cadherin binding is thought to drive cell sorting during embryogenesis.
- It remains unclear if cell sorting relies on cadherin bond biophysics or broader adhesion differences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure the mechanical and kinetic properties of cadherin bonds.
- To compare these properties with cell sorting outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Atomic force microscopy was used to quantify cadherin bond strengths and dissociation rates.
- Measurements included homophilic and heterophilic interactions of N-CAD, E-CAD, and C-CAD.
- Results were compared with in vitro cell aggregation and sorting assays.
Main Results:
- Chicken N-CAD, canine E-CAD, and Xenopus C-CAD exhibit cross-reactivity, forming multiple intermolecular bonds.
- Heterophilic cadherin bond properties are similar to homophilic interactions.
- Quantified biophysical properties of cadherin bonds did not correlate with observed cell sorting outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Cell sorting during embryogenesis is not solely dictated by the biophysical properties of cadherin subtypes.
- Broader differences in intercellular adhesion or membrane tension may play a more significant role.
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