Formation of microvilli and phosphorylation of ERM family proteins by CD43, a potent inhibitor for cell adhesion: cell detachment is a potential cue for ERM phosphorylation and organization of cell morphology.

ABSTRACT: CD43/sialophorin/leukosialin, a common leukocyte antigen, is known as an inhibitor for cell adhesion. The ectodomain of CD43 is considered as a molecular barrier for cell adhesion, while the cytoplasmic domain has a binding site for Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin (ERM). We found expression of CD43 induced cell rounding, inhibition of cell re-attachment, augmentation of microvilli, and phosphorylation of ERM in HEK293T cells. Mutant studies revealed the ectodomain of CD43, but not the intracellular domain, essential and sufficient for all these phenomena. We also found that forced cell detachment by itself induced phosphorylation of ERM in HEK293T cells. Taken together, these findings indicate that inhibition of cell adhesion by the ectodomain of CD43 induces phosphorylation of ERM, microvilli format

SUBMITTER: Yamane J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3084977 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar-Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature