Biomedical subjects

M P Vu

Publications and source records attributed to M P Vu.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1993

Alternative extracellular and cytoplasmic domains of the integrin alpha 7 subunit are differentially expressed during development.

Examination of cDNAs for the laminin-binding alpha 7 integrin subunit identified two different sequences (designated X1 and X2) coding for the variable region between the III and IV homology repeat domains near the putative ligand-binding site. Sequencing of a mouse alpha 7 genomic clone established that the X1 and X2 regions are derived by mutually exclusive alternative mRNA splicing. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis of alpha 7 mRNA indicated that the X1 and X2 isoforms were present in equal amounts in mouse skeletal myoblasts and adult heart. However, in adult skeletal muscle, the X2 variant was exclusively expressed. Amino acid sequence homologies in the III/IV segment suggest that alpha 3 and alpha 6 are also alternatively spliced at this site. We identified alternatively spliced exons in a human alpha 6 genomic clone that encode X1- and X2-like segments. Analysis of the alpha 7 cytoplasmic domain indicated that this region was also alternatively spliced and like alpha 3 and alpha 6 could exist as the A or B form. In mouse skeletal and cardiac muscle the B form of alpha 7 was strongly expressed. However, we identified alpha 7A in neonate and adult skeletal muscle but not in cardiac tissue. High levels of alpha 7A were detected in differentiating myotubes, but in proliferating myoblasts only the alpha 7B isoform was present. These results indicate that alternative splicing of alpha 7 mRNA is differentially regulated during development and generates variant integrin chains with structurally and presumably functionally unique ligand-binding and cytoplasmic domains.

Alternative Splicing↗

PubMed1991

Laminin-binding integrin alpha 7 beta 1: functional characterization and expression in normal and malignant melanocytes.

A novel integrin, alpha 7 beta 1, that specifically binds with high affinity to laminin has been identified on melanoma cells. This complex was purified from both human and murine melanoma cells by laminin-affinity chromatography, and the alpha 7 subunit was recovered after gel electrophoresis. N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of the alpha 7 subunit from both human and mouse cells verifies that this integrin is distinct from other alpha chains in the beta 1 family, although strikingly similar to the alpha 6 subunit. By using specific proteolytically derived fragments of laminin, it was determined that the alpha 7 beta 1 complex binds selectively to the E8 region, which represents part of the long arm of laminin. In contrast, the receptor failed to bind to the P1 fragment, which contains the intersection of the short arms of laminin. Although the alpha 7 beta 1 complex was commonly expressed in melanoma cells, this integrin was not detected in normal melanocytes, suggesting that alpha 7 expression may be associated with malignant transformation. These results establish the existence of a novel integrin that binds to the E8 domain of laminin and appears to mediate cell adhesion to this ligand.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1989

Human melanoma cells express a novel integrin receptor for laminin.

This study sought to determine whether human melanoma cells express integrin-related receptors that mediate their adhesion to laminin. We found that antibodies against the integrin beta 1 chain blocked cell attachment to laminin-coated surfaces. Furthermore, immunofluorescence staining demonstrated beta 1 complexes in vinculin-positive focal adhesion plaques on the basal surface of cells attached to laminin substrates. Chromatography of detergent extracts of 125I-surface-labeled cells on laminin-Sepharose columns recovered two major laminin-binding proteins (100 and 130 kDa, reduced) that bound with high affinity to the columns and were eluted with EDTA. Both proteins were specifically immunoprecipitated from column fractions with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to the integrin beta 1 subunit, indicating that they form a noncovalent heterodimer complex. The alpha-like subunit is composed of a 30-kDa light chain that is joined by a disulfide bond to the 100-kDa heavy chain. This complex was not recovered from columns of fibronectin- or collagen type I- or IV-Sepharose. Laminin-binding by the alpha beta 1 complex was independent of Arg-Gly-Asp or Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg-like sequences, but required the presence of divalent cations. The 100-kDa alpha-like subunit was electrophoretically and immunochemically distinct from the other known alpha subunits, alpha 1-alpha 6. The results indicate that human melanoma cells express a novel laminin-specific integrin beta 1 complex which may mediate the cells' interactions with this ligand.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗