PKCα activation of p120-catenin serine 879 phospho-switch disassembles VE-cadherin junctions and disrupts vascular integrity.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Adherens junctions (AJs) are the primary intercellular junctions in microvessels responsible for endothelial barrier function. Homophilic adhesion of vascular endothelial (VE) cadherin forms AJs, which are stabilized by binding of p120-catenin (p120). p120 dissociation from VE-cadherin results in loss of VE-cadherin homotypic interaction and AJ disassembly; however, the signaling mechanisms regulating p120 dissociation from VE-cadherin are not understood.

Objective

To address the mechanism of protein kinase C (PKC)-α function in increasing endothelial permeability, we determined the role of PKCα phosphorylation of p120 in mediating disruption of AJ integrity.

Methods and results

We showed that PKCα phosphorylation of p120 at serine (S)879 in response to thro

SUBMITTER: Vandenbroucke St Amant E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3518422 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature