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Ligand-induced changes in integrin expression regulate neuronal adhesion and neurite outgrowth
1Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 84132, USA. maureenc@mailman.med.utah.edu
Nature
|February 12, 1998
Summary
Neuronal integrin receptor levels on the cell surface are regulated by extracellular matrix ligand concentration. This dynamic regulation of alpha6beta1 integrin impacts neuronal adhesion and neurite outgrowth for proper development.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Integrin receptors mediate cell-extracellular matrix interactions, crucial for cellular processes.
- Integrin expression influences gene expression, cell adhesion, morphogenesis, and migration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how extracellular matrix ligand concentration affects integrin receptor expression on sensory neurons.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which ligand availability regulates surface integrin levels.
Main Methods:
- Post-translational regulation of alpha6beta1 integrin on sensory neurons was studied.
- The effect of varying substratum-bound laminin concentration was analyzed.
- Changes in surface receptor levels, integrin RNA, and total protein were quantified.
Main Results:
- Low laminin availability increased surface alpha6beta1 integrin receptor amounts.
- Conversely, low ligand availability decreased integrin RNA and total protein.
- Ligand concentration altered receptor removal rates from the cell surface.
- Higher surface integrin levels correlated with enhanced neuronal adhesion and neurite outgrowth.
Conclusions:
- Substratum-bound ligand concentration post-translationally regulates neuronal surface integrin levels.
- Integrin regulation maintains neuronal growth-cone motility across diverse ligand concentrations.
- This mechanism supports axonal invasion of tissues during development and regeneration.