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Busche, S.* ; Kremmer, E. ; Posern, G.*

E-cadherin regulates MAL-SRF-mediated transcription in epithelial cells.

J. Cell Sci. 123, 2803-2809 (2010)
DOI PMC
Open Access Green as soon as Postprint is submitted to ZB.
Epithelial junctions are dynamically and functionally linked to the actin cytoskeleton, and their disassembly is a key event during physiological and pathological processes. We recently showed that epithelial disintegration facilitates transcriptional activation via Rac, G-actin, MAL (also known as MRTF) and serum response factor (SRF). Here, we investigate which specific component of the epithelial junction is essential for this MAL-SRF-mediated transcription. The Ca(2+)-dependent dissociation of polarised epithelial cells depleted of ZO proteins - which form adherens junctions (AJs) but completely lack tight junctions (TJs) - fully activated SRF. By contrast, AGS gastric adenocarcinoma epithelial cells, which form TJs but are deficient in E-cadherin, and therefore also in AJs, failed to activate SRF. The introduction of wild-type E-cadherin in AGS cells restored AJ formation and MAL-SRF inducibility. To gain further insight into the membrane-proximal signalling, AGS cells were stably transfected with E-cadherin-alpha-catenin fusions. Despite restored formation of cell-cell contacts containing the nectin-afadin complex and p120-catenin, these cells did not activate SRF upon junction dissociation, suggesting that signal transmission depends on the C-terminal tail of E-cadherin. We conclude that the dissociation of intercellular E-cadherin interactions from AJs, and signals originating from the C-terminal region covering the beta-catenin-binding site of E-cadherin, are essential for transcriptional activation via Rac, MAL and SRF, whereas TJs are not involved.
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Publication type Article: Journal article
Document type Scientific Article
Corresponding Author
Keywords Adherens junctions; Tight junctions; Gene expression
ISSN (print) / ISBN 0021-9533
e-ISSN 1477-9137
Journal Journal of Cell Science
Quellenangaben Volume: 123, Issue: 16, Pages: 2803-2809 Article Number: , Supplement: ,
Publisher Company of Biologists
Publishing Place Cambridge
Non-patent literature Publications
Reviewing status Peer reviewed
Institute(s) Institute of Molecular Immunology (IMI)