Anti-membrane-bound transferrin-like protein antibodies induce cell-shape change and chondrocyte differentiation in the presence or absence of concanavalin A

• DOI: 10.1242/jcs.00393
• Publication Date: 2003-04-11T22:09:13Z
• Authors: Ryo Oda; Ketut Suardita; Katsumi Fujimoto; Haiou Pan; Weiqun Yan; Atsushi Shimazu; Hideaki Shintani; Yukio Kato
• Keywords: Cell type; Aggrecan

Membrane-bound transferrin-like protein (MTf), a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein, is expressed at high levels in many tumors and several fetal adult tissues including cartilage the intestine, as well amyloid plaques of Alzheimer's disease, although its role remains unknown. MTf one major concanavalin A-binding proteins cell surface. In this study, we examined effects anti-MTf antibodies A on shape gene expression, using cultures chondrocytes MTf-overexpressing ATDC5 C3H10T1/2 cells. expressing levels, induced cell-shape changes from fibroblastic to spherical cells, whereas no were observed with wild-type or cells very low levels. The associated enhanced proteoglycan synthesis expression cartilage-characteristic genes, aggrecan type II collagen. Some mimicked action A, other blocked lectin action. findings suggest that crosslinking induces chondrogenic differentiation. represents first identification plant receptor involved differentiation animal