Regulation of endothelial cell adherens junctions by a Ras-dependent signal transduction pathway.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Adherens junctions, consisting of transmembrane cadherin molecules and their associated cytoplasmic alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenin proteins, are thought to be critical for the development of stable cell adhesion and subsequent 3-dimensional tissue organization. In human endothelial cells there is a marked induction of gamma-catenin levels when cells reach confluence. We demonstrate that expression of a dominant negative ras gene product (N17ras) via adenoviral mediated gene transfer inhibits the confluent-dependent rise in gamma-catenin mRNA and protein levels. Consistent with its effects on overall gamma-catenin levels, expression of N17ras also reduces the amount of gamma-catenin associated with the adherens junction. Finally, although expression of N17ras under normal culture conditions produces no clear morphological phenotype, endothelial cells expressing a dominant negative ras gene product fail to form 3-dimensional, vascular-like structures when plated on reconstituted extracellular matrix.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Hegland, DD; Sullivan, DM; Rovira, II; Li, A; Kovesdi, I; Bruder, JT; Finkel, T
Published Date
- July 5, 1999
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 260 / 2
Start / End Page
- 371 - 376
PubMed ID
- 10403777
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0006-291X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1006/bbrc.1999.0919
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States