HAV-Peptides Attached to Colloidal Probes Faithfully Detect E-Cadherins Displayed on Living Cells

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Cell Biology
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Cell adhesion molecules, like E-cadherin, are vital for tissue integrity and biological processes.
• E-cadherin, located at epithelial cell junctions, plays a key role in cell adhesion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and functionalize E-cadherin mimetic peptides (HAV) on colloidal probes.
• To evaluate different peptide attachment strategies for enhanced yield.
• To detect and quantify E-cadherin on living cells using functionalized probes.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of HAV-peptides and functionalization of colloidal probes via His-tag complexation or maleimide-thiol coupling.
• Binding studies to assess peptide attachment efficiency.
• Application of functionalized probes with video particle tracking and force spectroscopy on HaCaT cells.

Main Results:

• Lipopeptide formation demonstrated a higher yield for peptide attachment compared to His-tag complexation.
• Specific interaction between HAV-peptides and E-cadherin on human HaCaT cells was confirmed.
• Quantification of single-bond rupture force and number of ruptures was achieved.

Conclusions:

• The lipopeptide strategy offers an efficient method for functionalizing probes with E-cadherin mimetic peptides.
• HAV-peptide functionalized probes can specifically detect E-cadherin on living cells.
• This approach holds potential for developing new biomaterials for medical applications.