Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026
07:55
Analyzing Cell Surface Adhesion Remodeling in Response to Mechanical Tension Using Magnetic Beads
Published on: March 8, 2017
Calcium-sensing receptor modulates cell adhesion and migration via integrins
Sujeenthar Tharmalingam1, Avais M Daulat, Jordan E Antflick
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada.
The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|October 5, 2011
Summary
The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) promotes tumor cell adhesion and migration by interacting with integrins. This ion-sensing receptor
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is a G protein-coupled receptor activated by extracellular divalent cations.
- CaSR regulates parathyroid hormone and calcitonin release in the endocrine system.
- CaSR's role in cellular adhesion and migration, particularly in cancer, is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of CaSR in cellular adhesion and migration in medullary thyroid carcinoma cells.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms linking CaSR to cellular adhesion and migration pathways.
Main Methods:
- Immunopurification, mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation, and co-localization studies.
- Fibronectin-based cell adhesion and migration assays using CaSR modulators.
- Integrin inhibition studies and β1 knockdown experiments.
- Analysis of intracellular signaling pathways, including phospholipase C activation.
Main Results:
- CaSR forms a macromolecular complex with β1-containing integrins.
- CaSR activation promotes cell adhesion and migration, mediated by integrins.
- CaSR-induced effects involve phospholipase C activation and intracellular calcium release.
Conclusions:
- This study demonstrates the first functional coupling between an ion-sensing G protein-coupled receptor (CaSR) and integrins.
- CaSR and integrin interaction promotes tumor cell adhesion and migration, involving intracellular calcium signaling.
- The CaSR-integrin axis has implications for cancer metastasis, axonal growth, and stem cell attachment.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Some...
01:10Integrins
Animal and protozoan cells do not have cell walls to help maintain shape and provide structural stability. Instead, these eukaryotic cells secrete a sticky mass of carbohydrates and proteins into the spaces between adjacent cells. This network of proteins and molecules is called an extracellular matrix or ECM.
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
01:15Activation of Integrins
Integrins bind ligands and transmit information from outside the cell to inside or vice-versa through an "outside-in signaling" or "inside-out signaling."
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.
01:31Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules
Immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules or Ig-CAMs are a versatile group of cell surface glycoproteins belonging to the immunoglobulin protein superfamily. Ig-CAMs possess the characteristic immunoglobulin protein domains and other domains such as the fibronectin type III domain. The Ig domains are glycosylated to varying degrees in different Ig-CAMs.
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
01:24Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions
The extracellular matrix or ECM holds cells together to form a tissue and allows the cells within the tissue to communicate. ECM comprises proteins such as fibronectin, collagen, laminin, etc. The most abundant protein in this space is collagen. Collagen fibers are interwoven with carbohydrate-containing protein molecules called proteoglycans. ECM allows cell migration and provides a structural scaffold at cell adhesion that anchors the cell when the extracellular matrix proteins interact with...
01:20Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions
Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...