Entactin: structure and function.

Abstract

Entactin is an integral and ubiquitous component of the basement membrane. The amino acid sequences of the mouse and human molecules have been determined and exhibit 85% sequence identity. The molecule is organized into three structural domains, an N-terminal globule (I) is linked to a smaller C-terminal globule (III) by a rigid stalk (II) largely consisting of cysteine-rich EGF-like homology repeats and a cysteine-rich thyroglobulin homology repeat. The molecule binds calcium ions and supports cell adhesion. However, its major function may be the assembly of the basement membrane. The carboxyl globule binds tightly to one of the short arms of laminin at the inner rodlike segment. This same region is also believed to be responsible for the attachment of entactin to type IV collagen at approximately 80 nm from its carboxyl noncollagenous end. Entactin therefore could serve as a bridge between the two most abundant molecules in the basement membrane. Supporting evidence for this role has been obtained from transfection of human choriocarcinoma, JAR, cells with the entactin gene. JAR cells synthesize laminin and type IV collagen but not entactin. Transfection of entactin into the cells stimulated incorporation of laminin and type IV collagen along with entactin into the extracellular matrix and into structures resembling focal contacts. The calcium-binding activity of entactin may play a role in the matrix assembly process. The protease sensitivity of entactin suggests that it may be a target for proteolytic activity during tissue remodeling, metastasis, and other events requiring the turnover of the basement membrane.

• Authors: A E Chung, M E Durkin
• Journal: American journal of respiratory cell and molecular biology (Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol) Vol. 3 Issue 4 Pg. 275-82 (Oct 1990) ISSN: 1044-1549 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2119632 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Review)

Chemical References

• Calcium-Binding Proteins
• Extracellular Matrix Proteins
• Membrane Glycoproteins
• nidogen

Topics

• Amino Acid Sequence
• Animals
• Basement Membrane (physiology)
• Calcium-Binding Proteins (physiology)
• Cell Adhesion
• Extracellular Matrix (physiology)
• Extracellular Matrix Proteins (physiology)
• Gene Expression
• Humans
• Membrane Glycoproteins (physiology)
• Molecular Sequence Data
• Protein Conformation