The Fat1 cadherin integrates vascular smooth muscle cell growth and migration signals.

ABSTRACT: The significance of cadherin superfamily proteins in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) biology is undefined. Here we describe recent studies of the Fat1 protocadherin. Fat1 expression in VSMCs increases significantly after arterial injury or growth factor stimulation. Fat1 knockdown decreases VSMC migration in vitro, but surprisingly, enhances cyclin D1 expression and proliferation. Despite limited similarity to classical cadherins, the Fat1 intracellular domain (Fat1(IC)) interacts with beta-catenin, inhibiting both its nuclear localization and transcriptional activity. Fat1 undergoes cleavage and Fat1(IC) species localize to the nucleus; however, inhibition of the cyclin D1 promoter by truncated Fat1(IC) proteins corresponds to their presence outside the nucleus, which argues against re

SUBMITTER: Hou R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2063842 | biostudies-literature | 2006 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature