Spatially and temporally regulated alpha6 integrin cleavage during Xenopus laevis development.

Abstract

The alpha6 integrin is essential for early nervous system development in Xenopus laevis. We have previously reported a uPA cleaved form of integrin alpha6 (alpha6p), in invasive human prostate cancer tissue, whose presence correlates with increased migration and invasive capacity. We now report that alpha6 is cleaved during the normal development of Xenopus in a spatially and temporally controlled manner. In addition, unlike normal mammalian tissues, which lack alpha6p, the major form of the alpha6 integrin present in adult Xenopus is alpha6p. The protease responsible for the cleavage in mammals, uPA, is not involved in the cleavage of Xenopus alpha6. Finally, overexpression of a mammalian alpha6 mutant which cannot be cleaved leads to developmental abnormalities suggesting a potential role for the cleavage in development.

• Authors: Manolis C Demetriou, Panayiota Stylianou, Maria Andreou, Olga Yiannikouri, George Tsaprailis, Anne E Cress, Paris Skourides
• Journal: Biochemical and biophysical research communications (Biochem Biophys Res Commun) Vol. 366 Issue 3 Pg. 779-85 (Feb 15 2008) ISSN: 1090-2104 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 18083114 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Integrin alpha6

Topics

• Animals
• Cells, Cultured
• Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental (physiology)
• Integrin alpha6 (metabolism)
• Organ Specificity
• Tissue Distribution
• Xenopus laevis (embryology, physiology)