Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2025
10:57
Examining the Dynamics of Cellular Adhesion and Spreading of Epithelial Cells on Fibronectin During Oxidative Stress
Published on: October 13, 2019
7.5K
CTNNAL1 promotes the structural integrity of bronchial epithelial cells through the RhoA/ROCK1 pathway
Caixia Liu1,2, Jinmei Wang2, Yurong Tan2
1Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China.
Acta Biochimica Et Biophysica Sinica
|April 11, 2024
Summary
Catenin alpha-like 1 (CTNNAL1) is crucial for airway epithelial integrity. Its absence causes structural damage and weakened cell adhesion, potentially via the RhoA/ROCK1 pathway, impacting respiratory health.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary biology
- Cellular adhesion mechanisms
- Epithelial biology
Background:
- Adhesion molecules are vital for airway epithelial structural integrity under stress.
- Catenin alpha-like 1 (CTNNAL1) was previously found downregulated in asthma models and upregulated in ozone-stressed human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of CTNNAL1 in the structural adhesion of HBECs.
- To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of CTNNAL1's function in airway epithelium.
Main Methods:
- Construction of a CTNNAL1 knockout (CTNNAL1 ‒/‒) mouse model using CTNNAL1-RNAi recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV).
- Development of a CTNNAL1-silencing HBEC cell line using CTNNAL1-siRNA.
- Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining for structural analysis.
- Assessment of cell proliferation, extracellular matrix, and intercellular adhesion.
- Analysis of adhesion molecule expression (E-cadherin, integrin β1, integrin β4) and RhoA/ROCK1 pathway components.
- Pharmacological inhibition of ROCK using Y27632.
Main Results:
- CTNNAL1 ‒/‒ mice exhibited denuded epithelial cells and airway structural damage.
- CTNNAL1 silencing in HBECs reduced cell proliferation and impaired cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion.
- Expressions of E-cadherin, integrin β1, and integrin β4 were significantly decreased in ozone-treated cells with CTNNAL1 silencing.
- RhoA/ROCK1 pathway activity decreased upon CTNNAL1 silencing.
- ROCK inhibition (Y27632) reversed ozone-induced adhesion molecule downregulation in CTNNAL1-overexpressing HBECs.
Conclusions:
- CTNNAL1 is essential for maintaining airway epithelial structural integrity, particularly under ozone exposure.
- CTNNAL1 influences epithelial cytoskeleton dynamics and regulates adhesion molecules through the RhoA/ROCK1 pathway.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Small GTPases - Ras and Rho
3.9K
Ras and Rho are small monomeric GTPases that act downstream of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) and regulate various cellular processes. These GTPases switch between active and inactive states by binding to guanine nucleotides.
Three regulatory proteins control their activity:
Three regulatory proteins control their activity:
3.9K
01:26Tension Response at Adherens Junctions
2.6K
The adherens junctions that anchor cells together are multi-protein complexes that dynamically adapt to mechanical stimuli such as tensile forces and shear stress. Mechanosensory proteins in these junctions can sense such mechanical stimuli and undergo a shift in their conformation, resulting in an altered function — a process called mechanotransduction.
α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
The α-catenin of adherens junctions is an allosteric protein with three VH (vinculin...
α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
The α-catenin of adherens junctions is an allosteric protein with three VH (vinculin...
2.6K
01:32Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration
4.7K
A migrating cell changes its shape during the cyclic events of attachment and detachment from the substratum and repositions the cell organelles correspondingly. These complex events are orchestrated by the dynamic cytoskeletal network comprising actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Cytoskeletal crosstalk — the direct and indirect communication between the different components — is crucial for this coordination. Direct communication involves various linker...
4.7K
02:38The Ras Gene
6.2K
The Ras-gene-encoded proteins are regulators of signaling pathways controlling cell proliferation, differentiation, or cell survival. The Ras-gene family in humans constitutes three primary members—the HRas, NRas, and KRas. These genes code for four functionally distinct yet closely related proteins—the HRas, NRas, KRas4A, and KRas4B. The involvement of mutant Ras genes in human cancer was first discovered in 1982 and is among the most common causes of human tumorigenesis.
Ras is a...
Ras is a...
6.2K
01:12Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
2.1K
Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
2.1K
01:17Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
2.7K
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...
2.7K