Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2025
11:31
Analysis of Protein-protein Interactions and Co-localization Between Components of Gap, Tight, and Adherens Junctions in Murine Mammary Glands
Published on: May 30, 2017
10.1K
Molecular Crosstalk Between Adherens Junction Proteins, E-cadherin and Nectin-4
Sagarika Dash1, Jayita Biswas2, Saumyadeep Goswami1
1Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, West Bengal, India.
Journal of Molecular Biology
|July 15, 2024
Summary
This study reveals a direct interaction between E-cadherin and nectin-4, crucial cell adhesion molecules. This novel mechanism, identified using SPR and AFM, may play a key role in early embryonic development.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Cell-cell junctions are vital for multicellular organism development.
- Cadherins and nectins form adherens junctions, mechanically coupling cells.
- Understanding their crosstalk is fundamental to developmental processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the direct interaction between E-cadherin and nectin-4.
- To characterize the biophysical properties of this interaction.
Main Methods:
- Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) for kinetic analysis.
- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)-based single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) for interaction dynamics.
- Biophysical characterization of protein-protein interactions.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated direct binding between N-terminal extracellular domains of E-cadherin and nectin-4.
- Quantified binding kinetics (KD values) using SPR.
- Determined dissociation rate (koff) and complex lifetime using AFM-SMFS.
Conclusions:
- Proposed a novel cell adhesion mechanism mediated by direct E-cadherin and nectin-4 interaction.
- Highlighted the potential functional significance in early embryogenesis based on expression patterns.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Adherens Junctions
4.7K
Strong contact points between adjacent cells anchor them to each other, forming tissues. Such anchoring junctions are of two types – adherens junctions and desmosomes. Adherens junctions are abundant in tissues such as epithelium and endothelium, forming a continuous zone of adhesion called the adhesion belt. In other tissues, such as heart muscle, they appear as clusters, linking the cells to produce coordinated heart muscle contraction.
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
4.7K
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
01:03Anchoring Junctions
3.7K
Anchoring junctions are multiprotein complexes that help cells connect to other cells and the extracellular matrix. Anchoring junctions are present on the lateral and basal surfaces of cells, providing strong and flexible connections. Focal adhesions are often formed due to cell interactions with the ECM substrata, which initiate signal transduction via kinase cascades and other mechanisms. Together, they provide stability and tissue integrity. There are three types of anchoring junctions:...
3.7K
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
01:25Structure of Cadherins
3.3K
The cadherins were one of the first cell adhesion molecules discovered; the term “cadherins” is based on their calcium-dependent adhering properties. The first cadherins discovered on the epithelial, neuronal, and placental cells were named E-cadherin, P-cadherin, and N-cadherin, respectively. These classical cadherins share sequence and structural similarities. Other cadherins, including those involved in cell signaling, are grouped into non-classical cadherins. This...
3.3K
01:23Catenins
2.3K
Catenins are characterized by multiple binding domains and dynamic structures that allow them to function as linker proteins in cell junction complexes. All catenins, except α-catenin, contain a characteristic protein sequence called the armadillo repeat and are therefore also called armadillo proteins.
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the...
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the...
2.3K