Adhesive Interactions Between Cells Flashcards
What is fibronectin?
- an ECM protein of connective ECM
What is the role of transglutaminase with fibronectin?
Cross-links fibronectin dimers into multimers that form fibrils around cells
What is the role of the RGD motif in fibronectin?
- RDG motif is essential for cells to attach to fibronectin or to cell-binding fragment of fibronectin
- Exposed position of RGD makes it accessible for binding to cell surface receptors
How were receptors for ECM proteins found?
- Made affinity column from ECM protein fragment and identify ligand
- Measure cell attachment to purified ECM proteins and develop monoclonal antibodies which block attachment
- autoantibodies that recognise antigens in cell membranes used to identify protein target of antibodies
What proteins are receptors for ECM proteins?
Integrins
What is the structure of integrins?
- Heterodimers with alpha and beta subunits
- Each subunit has varioud exrtracellular domains as well as s single TM domain and a short cytoplasmic domain
What do the extracellular domains of integrins bind to for function?
Divalent ions
What is the function of integrins?
Bind ECM proteins outside the cell and link to the actin cytoskeleton inside the cell
How are the alpha and beta chains of integrins bound together?
Held together by non-covalent bonds
How can integrins bind different ECM proteins?
Via different heterodimers
Where is the ECM binding cleft of RGD-binding integrins?
Between alpha and beta subunits
How is the ECM connected to the cytoskeleton through integrins?
- Connects ECM through TM helix
- Through TM integrin to FAK to cytoskeleton
What happens when Talin is recruited?
- Other intracellular cytoskeletal and signalling proteins are recruited to form a focal adhesion
- This activates intracellular kinase cascades and other 2nd messengers and physically links the integrin to cytoskeleton
How do active integrins set up intracellular signals?
- Chemical signalling via intracellular kinases and 2nd messengers
- Responses by mechanical forces are exerted through the physical binding of ECM protein to integrin and integrin to cytoskeleton
How can intracellular kinases or 2nd messengers be activated by integrins?
- Either through activated proteins that bind to Talin or Kindlin
- Or by proteins that bind to the integrin alpha subunit cytoplasmic domain