Biomedical subjects

Yoshimi Takai

Publications and source records attributed to Yoshimi Takai.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed2004

Involvement of the annexin II-S100A10 complex in the formation of E-cadherin-based adherens junctions in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.

E-cadherin and nectins are major cell-cell adhesion molecules at adherens junctions (AJs) in epithelial cells. When Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells stably expressing nectin-1 (nectin-1-MDCK cells) are cultured at normal Ca(2+), E-cadherin and nectin-1 are concentrated at the cell-cell contact sites. When these cells are cultured at low Ca(2+), E-cadherin disappears from the cell-cell contact sites, but nectin-1 persists there. When these cells are re-cultured at normal Ca(2+), E-cadherin is recruited to the nectin-based cell-cell contact sites. We found here that this recruitment was dependent on protein synthesis, because a protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, prevented the accumulation of E-cadherin. When nectin-1-MDCK cells, precultured at low Ca(2+) in the presence of a proteasome inhibitor, ALLN (N-acetyl-Leu-Leu-norleucinal), were re-cultured at normal Ca(2+), E-cadherin was recruited to the nectin-based cell-cell contact sites but the level of E-cadherin was reduced. Similar results were obtained when wild-type MDCK cells were used instead of nectin-1-MDCK cells. These results suggest that degradation of one or more protein factors and de novo synthesis of the same or different protein factor(s) are needed for the formation of the E-cadherin-based AJs. We biochemically identified the annexin II-S100A10 complex as such a candidate. Depletion of plasma membrane cholesterol, which abolished the localization of the annexin II-S100A10 complex at the plasma membrane, inhibited the re-concentration of E-cadherin at the nectin-based cell-cell contact sites in the Ca(2+) switch experiment. Knockdown of annexin II by RNA interference also inhibited the re-concentration of E-cadherin. These results indicate that the annexin II-S100A10 complex is involved in the formation of the E-cadherin-based AJs in MDCK cells.

Adherens Junctions↗

PubMed2004

Separation force measurements reveal different types of modulation of E-cadherin-based adhesion by nectin-1 and -3.

Nectins are Ca2+-independent cell adhesion molecules found at cadherin-based adherens junctions. We used a dual pipette assay that measures the forces required to separate cell doublets to determine how nectins affect the formation and strength of cell-cell adhesion. Less force was required to separate doublets of L cells expressing nectin-1 or nectin-3 than to separate doublets of E-cadherin-expressing cells. Heterodimers formed between cells expressing nectin-1 or nectin-3 adhered more strongly than homodimers. Nectin-3 that does not trans-interact with nectin-1 inhibited E-cadherin-mediated adhesion. However, the extracellular fragment of nectin-1 did not have an agonistic effect on E-cadherin-dependent cell adhesion when it trans-interacted with nectin-3, expressed at high levels in cells. In contrast, the extracellular fragment of nectin-3 had a significant agonistic effect on cadherin-based adhesion when it interacted with endogenous nectin-1, expressed at low levels in cells. Our results indicate that E-cadherin is the key molecule involved in cell adhesion and that the regulation of E-cadherin-based adhesion involving cellular nectin-1 trans-interacting with nectin-3 is qualitatively different from that involving cellular nectin-3 trans-interacting with nectin-1 and depends on the nectin levels expressed by cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Involvement of the c-Src-Crk-C3G-Rap1 signaling in the nectin-induced activation of Cdc42 and formation of adherens junctions.

Nectins, Ca(2+)-independent immunoglobulin-like cell-cell adhesion molecules, induce the activation of Cdc42 and Rac small G proteins, enhancing the formation of cadherin-based adherens junctions (AJs) and claudin-based tight junctions. Nectins recruit and activate c-Src at the nectin-based cell-cell contact sites. c-Src then activates Cdc42 through FRG, a Cdc42-GDP/GTP exchange factor. We showed here that Rap1 small G protein was involved in the nectin-induced activation of Cdc42 and formation of AJs. Rap1 was recruited to the nectin-based cell-cell contact sites and locally activated through the c-Src-Crk-C3G signaling there. The activation of either c-Src or Rap1 alone was insufficient for and the activation of both molecules was essential for the activation of FRG. The activation of Rap1 was not necessary for the c-Src-mediated phosphorylation or recruitment of FRG. The inhibition of the Crk, C3G, or Rap1 signaling reduced the formation of AJs. These results indicate that Rap1 is activated by nectins through the c-Src-Crk-C3G signaling and involved in the nectin-induced, c-Src- and FRG-mediated activation of Cdc42 and formation of AJs.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed2004

Vav2 as a Rac-GDP/GTP exchange factor responsible for the nectin-induced, c-Src- and Cdc42-mediated activation of Rac.

Nectins are Ca2+-independent immunoglobulin-like cell-cell adhesion molecules that form homo- and hetero-trans-dimers (trans-interactions). Nectins first form cell-cell contact and then recruit cadherins to the nectin-based cell-cell contact sites to form adherens junctions cooperatively with cadherins. In addition, the trans-interactions of nectins induce the activation of Cdc42 and Rac small G proteins, which enhances the formation of adherens junctions by forming filopodia and lamellipodia, respectively. The trans-interactions of nectins first recruit and activate c-Src at the nectin-based cell-cell contact sites. c-Src then phosphorylates and activates FRG, a Cdc42-GDP/GTP exchange factor (GEF) for Cdc42. The activation of both c-Src and Cdc42 by FRG is necessary for the activation of Rac, but the Rac-GEF responsible for this activation of Rac remains unknown. We showed here that the nectin-induced activation of Rac was inhibited by a dominant negative mutant of Vav2, a Rac-GEF. Nectins recruited and tyrosine-phosphorylated Vav2 through c-Src at the nectin-based cell-cell contact sites, whereas Cdc42 was not necessary for the nectin-induced recruitment of Vav2 or the nectin-induced, c-Src-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of Vav2. Cdc42 activated through c-Src then enhanced the GEF activity of tyrosine-phosphorylated Vav2 on Rac1. These results indicate that Vav2 is a GEF responsible for the nectin-induced, c-Src-, and Cdc42-mediated activation of Rac.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Contacts between the commissural axons and the floor plate cells are mediated by nectins.

During development of the central nervous system (CNS), commissural axons grow toward the ventral midline. After crossing the floor plate, they abruptly change their trajectory from the circumferential to the longitudinal axis. The contacts between the commissural axons and the floor plate cells are involved in this axonal guidance, but their mechanisms or structures have not fully been understood. In this study, we found that nectin-1 and -3, immunoglobulin-like cell-cell adhesion molecules, asymmetrically localized at the contact sites between the commissural axons and the floor plate cells, respectively. In vitro perturbation of the endogenous trans-interaction between nectin-1 and -3 caused abnormal fasciculation of the commissural axons and impairment of the contacts, and resulted in failure in longitudinal turns of the commissural axons at the contralateral sites of the rat hindbrain. These results indicate that the contacts between the commissural axons and the floor plate cells are mediated by the hetero-trans-interaction between nectin-1 and -3 and involved in regulation of the trajectory of the commissural axons.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Afadin- and alpha-actinin-binding protein ADIP directly binds beta'-COP, a subunit of the coatomer complex.

Afadin DIL domain-interacting protein (ADIP) is a novel protein that binds both afadin and alpha-actinin and localizes at adherens junctions, which are formed by nectins and cadherins, cell-cell adhesion molecules. Afadin is an actin filament (F-actin)-binding protein which connects nectins to the actin cytoskeleton. alpha-Actinin is another F-actin-binding protein that is indirectly associated with cadherins through the catenin complex. ADIP is at least partly involved in the physical association of nectins and cadherins. We show here that ADIP furthermore binds beta'-COP, a subunit of the coatomer complex. ADIP co-localizes with beta'-COP at the Golgi complex in Madin Darby canine kidney and normal rat kidney cells. These results suggest that ADIP is involved in vesicle trafficking from the Golgi to the endoplasmic reticulum and through the Golgi complex by interacting with the coatomer complex.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed2004

Activation of Cdc42 by trans interactions of the cell adhesion molecules nectins through c-Src and Cdc42-GEF FRG.

Nectins, Ca2+ -independent immunoglobulin-like cell-cell adhesion molecules, initiate cell-cell adhesion by their trans interactions and recruit cadherins to cooperatively form adherens junctions (AJs). In addition, the trans interactions of nectins induce the activation of Cdc42 and Rac small G proteins, which increases the velocity of the formation of AJs. We examined here how nectins induce the activation of Cdc42 in MDCK epithelial cells and L fibroblasts. Nectins recruited and activated c-Src at the nectin-based cell-cell adhesion sites. FRG, a GDP/GTP exchange factor specific for Cdc42, was then recruited there, tyrosine phosphorylated by c-Src, and activated, causing an increase in the GTP-bound active form of Cdc42. Inhibition of the nectin-induced activation of c-Src suppressed the nectin-induced activation of FRG and Cdc42. Inhibition of the nectin-induced activation of FRG or depletion of FRG by RNA interference suppressed the nectin-induced activation of Cdc42. These results indicate that nectins induce the activation of Cdc42 through c-Src and FRG locally at the nectin-based cell-cell adhesion sites.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Endocytosis of E-cadherin regulated by Rac and Cdc42 small G proteins through IQGAP1 and actin filaments.

E-cadherin is a key cell-cell adhesion molecule at adherens junctions (AJs) and undergoes endocytosis when AJs are disrupted by the action of extracellular signals. To elucidate the mechanism of this endocytosis, we developed here a new cell-free assay system for this reaction using the AJ-enriched fraction from rat liver. We found here that non-trans-interacting, but not trans-interacting, E-cadherin underwent endocytosis in a clathrin-dependent manner. The endocytosis of trans-interacting E-cadherin was inhibited by Rac and Cdc42 small G proteins, which were activated by trans-interacting E-cadherin or trans-interacting nectins, which are known to induce the formation of AJs in cooperation with E-cadherin. This inhibition was mediated by reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton by Rac and Cdc42 through IQGAP1, an actin filament-binding protein and a downstream target of Rac and Cdc42. These results indicate the important role of the Rac/Cdc42-IQGAP1 system in the dynamic organization and maintenance of the E-cadherin-based AJs.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

PubMed2004

Regulation of SNAREs by tomosyn and ROCK: implication in extension and retraction of neurites.

Extension of neurites requires the SNARE-dependent fusion of plasmalemmal precursor vesicles with the plasma membrane of growth cones. Here, we show that tomosyn localizes at the palm of growth cones and inhibits the fusion of the vesicles there, thus promoting transport of the vesicles to the plasma membrane of the leading edges of growth cones. Tomosyn localizes because ROCK activated by Rho small G protein phosphorylates syntaxin-1, which increases the affinity of syntaxin-1 for tomosyn and forms a stable complex with tomosyn, resulting in inhibition of the formation of the SNARE complex. In retraction of neurites, tomosyn localizes all over the edges of the neurites and inhibits fusion of the vesicles with the plasma membrane. Thus, tomosyn demarcates the plasma membrane by binding to syntaxin-1 phosphorylated by ROCK, and thereby regulates extension and retraction of neurites.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Enhancement of serum- and platelet-derived growth factor-induced cell proliferation by Necl-5/Tage4/poliovirus receptor/CD155 through the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK signaling.

Necl-5/Tage4/poliovirus receptor/CD155 has been shown to be the poliovirus receptor and to be up-regulated in rodent and human carcinoma. We have found previously that mouse Necl-5 regulates cell motility. We show here that mouse Necl-5 is furthermore involved in the regulation of cell proliferation. Studies using a specific antibody against Necl-5 and a dominant negative mutant of Necl-5 revealed that Necl-5 enhanced the serum-induced proliferation of NIH3T3, Swiss3T3, and mouse embryonic fibroblast cells. Necl-5 enhanced the serum-induced activation of the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK signaling, up-regulated cyclins D2 and E, and down-regulated p27(Kip1), eventually shortening the period of the G(0)/G(1) phase of the cell cycle in NIH3T3 cells. Necl-5 similarly enhanced the platelet-derived growth factor-induced activation of the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK signaling and shortened the period of the G(0)/G(1) phase of the cell cycle in NIH3T3 cells. Necl-5 acted downstream of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor and upstream of Ras. Moreover, up-regulated Necl-5 was involved at least partly in the enhanced proliferation of transformed cells including NIH3T3 cells transformed by an oncogenic Ras or v-Src. These results indicate that Necl-5 plays roles not only in cell motility but also in cell proliferation.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Direct binding of the human homologue of the Drosophila disc large tumor suppressor gene to seven-pass transmembrane proteins, tumor endothelial marker 5 (TEM5), and a novel TEM5-like protein.

The human homologue of the Drosophila discs large tumor suppressor gene (hDlg) is a member of the membrane-associated guanylate kinase family with three PSD-95/Dlg/ZO-1 (PDZ) domains. hDlg has been shown to bind tumor suppressor proteins, adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and protein tyrosine phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN), and several viral oncoproteins, and has been implicated in the negative regulation of cell proliferation. hDlg has furthermore been shown to localize at the plasma membrane of synapses and to scaffold cell surface receptors and channels. In epithelial cells, hDlg localizes at the basolateral plasma membrane, but its localization mechanism is unknown. We searched here for a transmembrane protein that directly bound to hDlg. hDlg bound tumor endothelial marker 5 (TEM5), a seven-pass transmembrane protein that is homologous to the family B of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). TEM5 has previously been reported to display elevated expression during tumor angiogenesis and neoangiogenesis. The PDZ domains of hDlg bound the C-terminal PDZ-binding motif of TEM5. The expression of TEM5 was detected in endothelial cells of embryonic liver, where hDlg colocalized with TEM5. hDlg furthermore bound a novel seven-pass transmembrane protein, which was homologous to TEM5, and was named here a TEM5-like protein (TEM5-like). These results suggest that hDlg localizes at the plasma membrane through TEM5 and TEM5-like and furthermore scaffolds these GPCRs in endothelial cells during tumor angiogenesis and neoangiogenesis.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed2004

Involvement of LMO7 in the association of two cell-cell adhesion molecules, nectin and E-cadherin, through afadin and alpha-actinin in epithelial cells.

Nectins are Ca(2+)-independent immunoglobulin-like cell-cell adhesion molecules that are involved in formation of cadherin-based adherens junctions (AJs). The nectin-based cell-cell adhesion induces activation of Cdc42 and Rac small G proteins, which eventually enhances the formation of AJs through reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. Although evidence has accumulated that nectins recruit cadherins to the nectin-based cell-cell adhesion sites through their cytoplasm-associated proteins, afadin and catenins, it is not fully understood how nectins are physically associated with cadherins. Here we identified a rat counterpart of the human LIM domain only 7 (LMO7) as an afadin- and alpha-actinin-binding protein. Rat LMO7 has two splice variants, LMO7a and LMO7b, consisting of 1,729 and 1,395 amino acids, respectively. LMO7 has calponin homology, PDZ, and LIM domains. Western blotting revealed that LMO7 was expressed ubiquitously in various rat tissues. Immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy revealed that LMO7 localized at cell-cell AJs, where afadin localized, in epithelial cells of rat gallbladder. In addition, LMO7 localized at the cytoplasmic faces of apical membranes in the same epithelial cells. We furthermore revealed that LMO7 bound alpha-actinin, an actin filament-bundling protein, which bound to alpha-catenin. Immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that LMO7 was associated with both the nectin-afadin and E-cadherin-catenin systems. LMO7 was assembled at the cell-cell adhesion sites after both the nectin-afadin and E-cadherin-catenin systems had been assembled. These results indicate that LMO7 is an afadin- and alpha-actinin-binding protein that connects the nectin-afadin and E-cadherin-catenin systems through alpha-actinin.

Actinin↗

PubMed2004

Evidence that tubulobulbar complexes in the seminiferous epithelium are involved with internalization of adhesion junctions.

Tubulobulbar complexes may be part of the mechanism by which intercellular adhesion junctions are internalized by Sertoli cells during sperm release. These complexes develop in regions where Sertoli cells are attached to adjacent cells by intercellular adhesion junctions termed ectoplasmic specializations. At sites where Sertoli cells are attached to spermatid heads, tubulobulbar complexes consist of fingerlike processes of the spermatid plasma membrane, corresponding invaginations of the Sertoli cell plasma membrane, and a surrounding cuff of modified Sertoli cell cytoplasm. At the terminal ends of the complexes occur clusters of vesicles. Here we show that tubulobulbar complexes develop in regions previously occupied by ectoplasmic specializations and that the structures share similar molecular components. In addition, the adhesion molecules nectin 2 and nectin 3, found in the Sertoli cell and spermatid plasma membranes, respectively, are concentrated at the distal ends of tubulobulbar complexes. We also demonstrate that double membrane bounded vesicles are associated with the ends of tubulobulbar complexes and nectin 3 is present on spermatids, but is absent from spermatozoa released from the epithelium. These results are consistent with the conclusion that Sertoli cell and spermatid membrane adhesion domains are internalized together by tubulobulbar complexes. PKCalpha, a kinase associated with endocytosis of adhesion domains in other systems, is concentrated at tubulobulbar complexes, and antibodies to endosomal and lysosomal (LAMP1, SGP1) markers label the cluster of vesicles associated with the ends of tubulobulbar complexes. Our results are consistent with the conclusion that tubulobulbar complexes are involved with the disassembly of ectoplasmic specializations and with the internalization of intercellular membrane adhesion domains during sperm release.

Adherens Junctions↗

PubMed2004

Vmac: a novel protein associated with vimentin-type intermediate filament in podocytes of rat kidney.

Vimentin-type intermediate filaments (IFs) play an important role in cytoskeletal organization and cell morphology. We identified here a novel protein associated with vimentin-type IFs and named it vimentin-type IF-associated coiled-coil protein (Vmac). Vmac consists of 171 amino acids with a calculated Mr of 18,844 and has a coiled-coil domain in its N-terminal region and the PDZ-binding tetrapeptide consensus motif in its C-terminal region. Northern blotting showed that the Vmac mRNA was expressed in many rat tissues examined but most abundantly expressed in the kidney. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that Vmac was highly concentrated at podocytes of renal glomeruli. Podocytes are highly specialized epithelial cells characterized by a large cell body and numerous foot processes, and express vimentin-type IFs that are distributed in the cell body and the major processes. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that Vmac was associated with vimentin-type IFs of podocytes. These results indicate that Vmac is a novel protein associated with vimentin-type IF in podocytes of rat kidney.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2004

An activating mutant of Rac1 that fails to interact with Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor stimulates membrane ruffling in mammalian cells.

Rac1, a member of the Rho family of small GTP-binding proteins, is involved in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton via activation of lamellipodia and membrane ruffle formation. RhoGDI (Rho-family-specific GDP-dissociation inhibitor) forms a complex with Rho proteins in the cytosol of mammalian cells. It not only regulates guanine nucleotide binding to Rho proteins, but may also function as a molecular shuttle to carry Rho proteins from an inactive cytosolic pool to the membrane for activation. These studies tested if RhoGDI is necessary for the translocation of Rac1 from the cytosol to the plasma membrane for the formation of membrane ruffles. We describe a novel mutant of Rac1, R66E (Arg66-->Glu), that fails to bind RhoGDI. This RhoGDI-binding-defective mutation is combined with a Rac1-activating mutation G12V, resulting in a double-mutant [Rac1(G12V/R66E)] that fails to interact with RhoGDI in COS-7 cells, but remains constitutively activated. This double mutant stimulates membrane ruffling to a similar extent as that observed after epidermal growth factor treatment of non-transfected cells. To confirm that Rac1 can signal ruffle formation in the absence of interaction with RhoGDI, Rac1(G12V) was overexpressed in cultured mesangial cells derived from a RhoGDI knockout mouse. Rac1-mediated membrane ruffling was indistinguishable between the RhoGDI(-/-) and RhoGDI(+/+) cell lines. In both the COS-7 and cultured mesangial cells, Rac1(G12V) and Rac1(G12V/R66E) co-localize with membrane ruffles. These findings suggest that interaction with RhoGDI is not essential in the mechanism by which Rac1 translocates to the plasma membrane to stimulate ruffle formation.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Nectin-like molecule-5/Tage4 enhances cell migration in an integrin-dependent, Nectin-3-independent manner.

Cell migration plays roles in invasion of transformed cells and scattering of embryonic mesenchymal cells into surrounding tissues. We have found that Ig-like Necl-5/Tage4 is up-regulated in NIH3T3 cells transformed by an oncogenic Ras (V12Ras-NIH3T3 cells) and heterophilically trans-interacts with a Ca(2+)-independent Ig-like cell adhesion molecule nectin-3, eventually enhancing their intercellular motility. We show here that Necl-5 furthermore enhances cell migration in a nectin-3-independent manner. Studies using L fibroblasts expressing various mutants of Necl-5, NIH3T3 cells, and V12Ras-NIH3T3 cells have revealed that Necl-5 enhances serum- and platelet-derived growth factor-induced cell migration. The extracellular region of Necl-5 is necessary for directional cell migration, but not for random cell motility. The cytoplasmic region of Necl-5 is necessary for both directional and random cell movement. Necl-5 colocalizes with integrin alpha(V)beta(3) at leading edges of migrating cells. Analyses using an inhibitor or an activator of integrin alpha(V)beta(3) or a dominant negative mutant of Necl-5 have shown the functional association of Necl-5 with integrin alpha(V)beta(3) in cell motility. Cdc42 and Rac small G proteins are activated by the action of Necl-5 and required for the serum-induced, Necl-5-enhanced cell motility. These results indicate that Necl-5 regulates serum- and platelet-derived growth factor-induced cell migration in an integrin-dependent, nectin-3-independent manner, when cells do not contact other cells. We furthermore show here that enhanced motility and metastasis of V12Ras-NIH3T3 cells are at least partly the result of up-regulated Necl-5.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Physical and functional interaction of the active zone proteins, CAST, RIM1, and Bassoon, in neurotransmitter release.

We have recently isolated a novel cytomatrix at the active zone (CAZ)-associated protein, CAST, and found it directly binds another CAZ protein RIM1 and indirectly binds Munc13-1 through RIM1; RIM1 and Munc13-1 directly bind to each other and are implicated in priming of synaptic vesicles. Here, we show that all the CAZ proteins thus far known form a large molecular complex in the brain, including CAST, RIM1, Munc13-1, Bassoon, and Piccolo. RIM1 and Bassoon directly bind to the COOH terminus and central region of CAST, respectively, forming a ternary complex. Piccolo, which is structurally related to Bassoon, also binds to the Bassoon-binding region of CAST. Moreover, the microinjected RIM1- or Bassoon-binding region of CAST impairs synaptic transmission in cultured superior cervical ganglion neurons. Furthermore, the CAST-binding domain of RIM1 or Bassoon also impairs synaptic transmission in the cultured neurons. These results indicate that CAST serves as a key component of the CAZ structure and is involved in neurotransmitter release by binding these CAZ proteins.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed2004

Expression patterns of nectins and afadin during epithelial remodeling in the mouse embryo.

Cell-cell adhesion plays key roles in tissue morphogenesis and organogenesis. Nectins are Ca2+-independent immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules connected to the actin cytoskeleton through afadin. Nectins play roles in a variety of cell-cell junctions in cooperation with or independently of cadherins. Here, we examined the cellular localization of nectins and afadin throughout primitive streak, neural plate, and early organogenesis stages of mouse development. Nectin and afadin localization coincided with a honeycomb-shaped meshwork of actin filaments at adherens junctions of polarized epithelia, including neuroepithelium, epithelial somites, and facial primordia. As organogenesis progressed, nectin-2 expression was maintained in general columnar epithelia, whereas nectin-1 and -3 became highly concentrated at sites of neural morphogenesis. Moreover, nectin-1 was highly expressed in keratinocytes of the skin, developing hair follicles, and epithelium of developing teeth. These results suggest that nectins and afadin are involved in dynamic epithelial remodeling during mouse development.

Actins↗