Cellular expression of liver and neural cell adhesion molecules after transfection with their cDNAs results in specific cell-cell binding.

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.84.23.8502
• Publication Date: 2006-05-31T10:29:20Z
• Authors: G M Edelman; B A Murray; R M Mege; B A Cunningham; W J Gallin
• Keywords: Neurons; 0301 basic medicine; DNA; Transfection; 3. Good health; Structure-Activity Relationship; 03 medical and health sciences; Liver; Antigens, Surface; Cell Adhesion; Cell Adhesion Molecules; Cells, Cultured; Immunosorbent Techniques; Cell Aggregation

Mouse L cells, which do not express the known primary cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), were permanently transfected with vectors containing simian virus 40 early promoter and cDNA sequences encoding chicken liver CAM (L-CAM) or each of three major polypeptide forms neural (N-CAM). Transfected cells in culture expressing Ca2+-dependent L-CAM showed uniform surface expression molecule. Unlike untransfected these aggregated readily; aggregation was inhibited by Fab' fragments antibodies to but anti-N-CAM. These spread more efficiently than did their counterparts, forming small colonies flattened that gradually assumed morphologies resembling closely packed cells. either large intercellular domain (sd ld) chains N-CAM specifically other bound membrane vesicles from chick brain. Both types binding anti-N-CAM antibodies. contrast those for L-CAM, rounded inefficiently culture. specifying (ssd) chain no phenotypic changes evidence linkage ssd phosphatidylinositol intermediates. Instead, synthesized molecule released it into medium. findings complete demonstration different CAMs have specific roles ligating synthesize them, they provide further bind homophilic mechanisms. The observed are consistent hypothesis synthesis differing associations carboxyl-terminal domains cortex may lead directly indirectly alterations together CAM.