Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Integrins”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

An abundant chick gizzard integrin is the avian alpha 1 beta 1 integrin heterodimer and functions as a divalent cation-dependent collagen IV receptor.

The alpha-subunit of an abundant chick gizzard integrin was isolated (T. Kelly, L. Molony, and K. Burridge, 1987, J. Biol. Chem. 262, 17,189-17,199) and fragmented by proteolytic digestion. The N-terminal sequences of the intact polypeptide and of several internal peptides were determined and were found to be highly homologous to the mammalian integrin alpha 1-subunit. Monoclonal antibodies to the chick integrin beta 1-chain react on immunoblots with the gizzard integrin beta-subunit (U. Hofer, J. Syfrig, and R. Chiquet-Ehrismann, 1990, J. Biol. Chem. 265, 14,561-14,565). The chain composition of the abundant chick gizzard integrin is therefore alpha 1 beta 1. Polyclonal antibodies to the avian integrin alpha 1-subunit block attachment of embryonic gizzard cells to human and chick collagen IV completely and inhibit attachment to mouse Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm (EHS) tumor laminin partially. In ELISA-style receptor assays, the isolated alpha 1 beta 1 integrin bound to human and chick collagen IV and to mouse EHS tumor and chick heart laminin. While the binding to collagen IV was abolished by removal of divalent cations, the binding to laminin was not sensitive to EDTA under the conditions used. Collagen I bound the isolated avian alpha 1 beta 1 integrin only weakly. As collagen IV was the only extracellular matrix protein for which a consistent, divalent cation-dependent, binding to the avian alpha 1 beta 1 integrin could be demonstrated in both cellular and molecular assays we suggest that it is a preferred ligand for this integrin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

An interaction between integrin and the talin FERM domain mediates integrin activation but not linkage to the cytoskeleton.

Transmembrane adhesion receptors, such as integrins, mediate cell adhesion by interacting with intracellular proteins that connect to the cytoskeleton. Talin, one such linker protein, is thought to have two roles: mediating inside-out activation of integrins, and connecting extracellular matrix (ECM)-bound integrins to the cytoskeleton. Talin's amino-terminal head, which consists of a FERM domain, binds an NPxY motif within the cytoplasmic tail of most integrin beta subunits. This is consistent with the role of FERM domains in recruiting other proteins to the plasma membrane. We tested the role of the talin-head-NPxY interaction in integrin function in Drosophila. We found that introduction of a mutation that perturbs this binding in vitro into the isolated talin head disrupts its recruitment by integrins in vivo. Surprisingly, when engineered into the full-length talin, this mutation did not disrupt talin recruitment by integrins nor its ability to connect integrins to the cytoskeleton. However, it reduced the ability of talin to strengthen integrin adhesion to the ECM, indicating that the function of the talin-head-NPxY interaction is solely to regulate integrin adhesion.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Evidence that beta3 integrin-induced Rac activation involves the calpain-dependent formation of integrin clusters that are distinct from the focal complexes and focal adhesions that form as Rac and RhoA become active.

Interaction of integrins with the extracellular matrix leads to transmission of signals, cytoskeletal reorganizations, and changes in cell behavior. While many signaling molecules are known to be activated within Rac-induced focal complexes or Rho-induced focal adhesions, the way in which integrin-mediated adhesion leads to activation of Rac and Rho is not known. In the present study, we identified clusters of integrin that formed upstream of Rac activation. These clusters contained a Rac-binding protein(s) and appeared to be involved in Rac activation. The integrin clusters contained calpain and calpain-cleaved beta3 integrin, while the focal complexes and focal adhesions that formed once Rac and Rho were activated did not. Moreover, the integrin clusters were dependent on calpain for their formation. In contrast, while Rac- and Rho-GTPases were dependent on calpain for their activation, formation of focal complexes and focal adhesions by constitutively active Rac or Rho, respectively, occurred even when calpain inhibitors were present. Taken together, these data are consistent with a model in which integrin-induced Rac activation requires the formation of integrin clusters. The clusters form in a calpain-dependent manner, contain calpain, calpain-cleaved integrin, and a Rac binding protein(s). Once Rac is activated, other integrin signaling complexes are formed by a calpain-independent mechanism(s).

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Sodium dodecyl sulfate-stable complexes of echistatin and RGD-dependent integrins: a novel approach to study integrins.

This study shows that disintegrins, echistatin as a model, can be used as a radiolabeled probe to simultaneously detect the presence of individual RGD-dependent integrins on cardiac fibroblasts. Binding of (125)I-echistatin to fibroblasts was proportional to cell number, time dependent, reversible, saturable, specific, and membrane bound. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiograms revealed that (125)I-echistatin was associated with three radioactive protein bands of 180, 210, and 220 kDa that were identified by RGD affinity chromatography, immunoblotting, and immunoneutralization as alpha(v)beta(3), alpha(3)beta(1)/alpha(5)beta(1)/alpha(v)beta(1), and alpha(8)beta(1) heterodimeric integrins, respectively. These results suggest that echistatin binds to RGD-dependent integrins, forming SDS-stable complexes in the absence of chemical cross-linkers, reducing conditions and heating. As assessed by radioligand-binding filtration, disintegrins displayed binding characteristics with an IC(50) ranging from 0.044 to 1.1 nM, but with slope factors lower than 1, indicating the presence of several binding sites. Resolved by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to reveal echistatin-integrin complexes, disintegrins and RGD peptides displayed different binding affinities to individual RGD-dependent integrins present on cardiac fibroblasts. Elegantin and flavostatin demonstrated the highest affinity toward integrins, whereas flavoridin and acPenRGDC had a greater specificity toward alpha(v)beta(3)-integrin. In summary, echistatin forms SDS-stable complexes with RGD-dependent integrins. This model offers a novel way to visualize RGD-dependent integrins, to investigate their activation state, and to determine the integrin specificity of RGD peptides.

Animals↗

Identification of an interaction between the m-band protein skelemin and beta-integrin subunits. Colocalization of a skelemin-like protein with beta1- and beta3-integrins in non-muscle cells.

Signaling across integrins is regulated by interaction of these receptors with cytoskeletal proteins and signaling molecules. To identify molecules interacting with the cytoplasmic domain of the beta3-integrin subunit (glycoprotein IIIa), a placental cDNA library was screened in the yeast two-hybrid system. Two identical clones coding for a 96-amino acid sequence were identified. This sequence was 100% identical to a sequence in skelemin, a protein identified previously in skeletal muscle. Skelemin is a member of a superfamily of cytoskeletal proteins that contain fibronectin-type III-like motifs and immunoglobulin C2-like motifs and that regulate the organization of myosin filaments in muscle. The amino acid residues in the isolated clones encompassed C2 motifs 4 and 5 of skelemin. A recombinant skelemin protein consisting of C2 motifs 3-7 interacted with beta1- and beta3-integrin cytoplasmic domains expressed as glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins, but not with GST-beta2-integrin cytoplasmic tail or GST alone. The skelemin-binding region was in the membrane proximal cytoplasmic domains of the integrins. Full-length skelemin interacted with integrin in intact cells as demonstrated by the colocalization of hemagglutinin-tagged skelemin in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells containing alphaIIbbeta3-integrin and by the finding that microinjection of C2 motif 4 of skelemin into C2C12 mouse myoblast cells caused spread cells to round up. A skelemin-like protein was detected in CHO cells, endothelial cells, and platelets, and this protein colocalized with beta1- and beta3-integrins in CHO cells. This study suggests the presence of a skelemin-like protein in non-muscle cells and provides evidence that it may be involved in linking integrins to the cytoskeleton.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Integrin-using rotaviruses bind alpha2beta1 integrin alpha2 I domain via VP4 DGE sequence and recognize alphaXbeta2 and alphaVbeta3 by using VP7 during cell entry.

Integrins alpha2beta1, alphaXbeta2, and alphaVbeta3 have been implicated in rotavirus cell attachment and entry. The virus spike protein VP4 contains the alpha2beta1 ligand sequence DGE at amino acid positions 308 to 310, and the outer capsid protein VP7 contains the alphaXbeta2 ligand sequence GPR. To determine the viral proteins and sequences involved and to define the roles of alpha2beta1, alphaXbeta2, and alphaVbeta3, we analyzed the ability of rotaviruses and their reassortants to use these integrins for cell binding and infection and the effect of peptides DGEA and GPRP on these events. Many laboratory-adapted human, monkey, and bovine viruses used integrins, whereas all porcine viruses were integrin independent. The integrin-using rotavirus strains each interacted with all three integrins. Integrin usage related to VP4 serotype independently of sialic acid usage. Analysis of rotavirus reassortants and assays of virus binding and infectivity in integrin-transfected cells showed that VP4 bound alpha2beta1, and VP7 interacted with alphaXbeta2 and alphaVbeta3 at a postbinding stage. DGEA inhibited rotavirus binding to alpha2beta1 and infectivity, whereas GPRP binding to alphaXbeta2 inhibited infectivity but not binding. The truncated VP5* subunit of VP4, expressed as a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein, bound the expressed alpha2 I domain. Alanine mutagenesis of D308 and G309 in VP5* eliminated VP5* binding to the alpha2 I domain. In a novel process, integrin-using viruses bind the alpha2 I domain of alpha2beta1 via DGE in VP4 and interact with alphaXbeta2 (via GPR) and alphaVbeta3 by using VP7 to facilitate cell entry and infection.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Manganese-induced integrin affinity maturation promotes recruitment of alpha V beta 3 integrin to focal adhesions in endothelial cells: evidence for a role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Src.

Integrin activity is controlled by changes in affinity (i.e. ligand binding) and avidity (i.e. receptor clustering). Little is known, however, about the effect of affinity maturation on integrin avidity and on the associated signaling pathways. To study the effect of affinity maturation on integrin avidity, we stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with MnCl(2) to increase integrin affinity and monitored clustering of beta 1 and beta 3 integrins. In unstimulated HUVEC, beta 1 integrins were present in fibrillar adhesions, while alpha V beta 3 was detected in peripheral focal adhesions. Clustered beta 1 and beta 3 integrins expressed high affinity/ligand-induced binding site (LIBS) epitopes. MnCl(2)-stimulation promoted focal adhesion and actin stress fiber formation at the basal surface of the cells, and strongly enhanced mAb LM609 staining and expression of beta 3 high affinity/LIBS epitopes at focal adhesions. MnCl(2)-induced alpha V beta 3 clustering was blocked by a soluble RGD peptide, by wortmannin and LY294002, two pharmacological inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-K), and by over-expressing a dominant negative PI 3-K mutant protein. Conversely, over-expression of active PI 3-K and pharmacological inhibiton of Src with PP2 and CGP77675, enhanced basal and manganese-induced alpha V beta 3 clustering. Transient increased phosphorylation of protein kinase B/Akt, a direct target of PI 3K, occurred upon manganese stimulation. MnCl(2) did not alter beta 1 integrin distribution or beta1 high-affinity/LIBS epitope expression. Based on these results, we conclude that MnCl(2)-induced alpha V beta 3 integrin affinity maturation stimulates focal adhesion and actin stress fiber formation, and promotes recruitment of high affinity alpha V beta 3 to focal adhesions. Affinity-modulated alpha V beta 3 clustering requires PI3-K signaling and is negatively regulate by Src.

Cells, Cultured↗

The Src family kinases Hck and Fgr are dispensable for inside-out, chemoattractant-induced signaling regulating beta 2 integrin affinity and valency in neutrophils, but are required for beta 2 integrin-mediated outside-in signaling involved in sustained adhesion.

Neutrophil beta(2) integrins are activated by inside-out signaling regulating integrin affinity and valency; following ligand binding, beta(2) integrins trigger outside-in signals regulating cell functions. Addressing inside-out and outside-in signaling in hck(-/-)fgr(-/-) neutrophils, we found that Hck and Fgr do not regulate chemoattractant-induced activation of beta(2) integrin affinity. In fact, beta(2) integrin-mediated rapid adhesion, in static condition assays, and neutrophil adhesion to glass capillary tubes cocoated with ICAM-1, P-selectin, and a chemoattractant, under flow, were unaffected in hck(-/-)fgr(-/-) neutrophils. Additionally, examination of integrin affinity by soluble ICAM-1 binding assays and of beta(2) integrin clustering on the cell surface, showed that integrin activation did not require Hck and Fgr expression. However, after binding, hck(-/-)fgr(-/-) neutrophil spreading over beta(2) integrin ligands was reduced and they rapidly detached from the adhesive surface. Whether alterations in outside-in signaling affect sustained adhesion to the vascular endothelium in vivo was addressed by examining neutrophil adhesiveness to inflamed muscle venules. Intravital microscopy analysis allowed us to conclude that Hck and Fgr regulate neither the number of rolling cells nor rolling velocity in neutrophils. However, arrest of hck(-/-)fgr(-/-) neutrophils to >60 microm in diameter venules was reduced. Thus, Hck and Fgr play no role in chemoattractant-induced inside-out beta(2) integrin activation but regulate outside-in signaling-dependent sustained adhesion.

Animals↗

Expression of integrin alpha5 and integrin beta4 and their extracellular ligands fibronectin and laminin in human decidua during early pregnancy and its sex steroid-mediated regulation.

The reorganization of the human endometrium is termed decidualization, which includes endometrial cell proliferation, differentiation, integrin switching and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling during early pregnancy. The present study aimed to investigate distribution patterns, staining intensity and sex steroid-mediated regulation of integrin alpha5 (CD49e), integrin beta4 (CD49f) expression and their ligands fibronectin and laminin during decidualization. Human tissue samples were evaluated in two groups, those collected in early days and those collected in advanced days of the first trimester. Correlating immunostaining was found between laminin and integrin beta4, and between fibronectin and integrin alpha5. The expression of fibronectin was higher than that of laminin in the early days (p < 0.05). Temporal and spatial immunostaining of integrin beta4 and alpha5 in the apical pole of luminal and glandular cells was observed as pregnancy progressed (p < 0.05). In vitro results showed that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulated laminin expression, downregulated integrin beta4 expression, whereas estradiol decreased fibronectin expression by Ishikawa cells. hCG suppressed fibronectin expression in endometrial stromal cells in culture. Our results suggest that fibronectin is responsible for induction of decidual cell differentiation, and different temporal and spatial expression of the integrins may play a role in implantation. Our in vitro results suggest that regulation of extracellular matrix remodeling and integrin switching are at least partially regulated by reproductive hormones.

Adult↗

Non-cytotoxic cobra cardiotoxin A5 binds to alpha(v)beta3 integrin and inhibits bone resorption. Identification of cardiotoxins as non-RGD integrin-binding proteins of the Ly-6 family.

Severe tissue necrosis with a retarded wound healing process is a major symptom of a cobra snakebite. Cardiotoxins (CTXs) are major components of cobra venoms that belong to the Ly-6 protein family and are implicated in tissue damage. The interaction of the major CTX from Taiwan cobra, i.e. CTX A3, with sulfatides in the cell membrane has recently been shown to induce pore formation and cell internalization and to be responsible for cytotoxicity in cardiomyocytes (Wang, C.-H., Liu, J.-H., Lee, S.-C., Hsiao, C.-D., and Wu, W.-g. (2006) J. Biol. Chem. 281, 656-667). We show here that one of the non-cytotoxic CTXs, i.e. CTX A5 or cardiotoxin-like basic polypeptide, from Taiwan cobra specifically bound to alpha(v)beta3 integrin and inhibited bone resorption activity. We found that both membrane-bound and recombinant soluble alpha(v)beta3 integrins bound specifically to CTX A5 in a dose-dependent manner. Surface plasmon resonance analysis showed that human soluble alpha(v)beta3 bound to CTX A5 with an apparent affinity of approximately 0.3 microM. Calf pulmonary artery endothelial cells, which constitutively express alpha(v)beta3, showed a CTX A5 binding profile similar to that of membrane-bound and soluble alpha(v)beta3 integrins, suggesting that endothelial cells are a potential target for CTX action. We tested whether CTX A5 inhibits osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption, a process known to be involved in alpha(v)beta3 binding and inhibited by RGD-containing peptides. We demonstrate that CTX A5 inhibited both activities at a micromolar range by binding to murine alpha(v)beta3 integrin in osteoclasts and that CTX A5 co-localized with beta3 integrin. Finally, after comparing the integrin binding affinity among CTX homologs, we propose that the amino acid residues near the two loops of CTX A5 are involved in integrin binding. These results identify CTX A5 as a non-RGD integrin-binding protein with therapeutic potential as an integrin antagonist.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Ablation of beta1 integrin in mammary epithelium reveals a key role for integrin in glandular morphogenesis and differentiation.

Integrin-mediated adhesion regulates the development and function of a range of tissues; however, little is known about its role in glandular epithelium. To assess the contribution of beta1 integrin, we conditionally deleted its gene in luminal epithelia during different stages of mouse mammary gland development and in cultured primary mammary epithelia. Loss of beta1 integrin in vivo resulted in impaired alveologenesis and lactation. Cultured beta1 integrin-null cells displayed abnormal focal adhesion function and signal transduction and could not form or maintain polarized acini. In vivo, epithelial cells became detached from the extracellular matrix but remained associated with each other and did not undergo overt apoptosis. beta1 integrin-null mammary epithelial cells did not differentiate in response to prolactin stimulation because of defective Stat5 activation. In mice where beta1 integrin was deleted after the initiation of differentiation, fewer defects in alveolar morphology occurred, yet major deficiencies were also observed in milk protein and milk fat production and Stat5 activation, indicating a permissive role for beta1 integrins in prolactin signaling. This study demonstrates that beta1 integrin is critical for the alveolar morphogenesis of a glandular epithelium and for maintenance of its differentiated function. Moreover, it provides genetic evidence for the cooperation between integrin and cytokine signaling pathways.

Animals↗

Immunolocalization of tenascin-C, alpha9 integrin subunit, and alphavbeta6 integrin during wound healing in human oral mucosa.

Tenascin-C (TN-C) and its isoforms are multidomain extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins that are believed to be involved in the regulation of stromal-epithelial interactions. Some of the interactions between TN-C and cells are mediated by integrins. In this study we analyzed the expression of TN-C and its large molecular weight splice isoform (TN-C(L)) and the putative TN-C-binding alpha9 and alphavbeta6 integrins during human wound repair. In 3-day-old oral mucosal wounds, immunoreactivity for alpha9 integrin localized abundantly at the migrating basal wound epithelial cells. TN-C and TN-C(L) were localized in the matrix between and underneath alpha9-expressing epithelial cells. In parallel with gradual downregulation of alpha9 integrin immunoreactivity in 7-day and older wounds, the expression of alphavbeta6 integrin was temporarily induced. Integrin alphavbeta6 co-localized in the same area as TN-C and TN-C(L) immunoreactivity at the cell-cell contacts of the basal and suprabasal cell layers of the wound epithelium. During granulation tissue formation and reorganization from 7 to 28 days after wounding, TN-C and TN-C(L) were abundantly localized in the granulation tissue. The findings show that TN-C(L) is expressed under the migrating epithelial front and in the granulation tissue during matrix deposition in wound repair. Preferential localization of alpha9 integrin in migrating epithelial cells and of alphavbeta6 integrin in epithelium after wound closure suggests different functions for these integrins in wound repair.

Alternative Splicing↗

Differential regulation of Rho GTPases by beta1 and beta3 integrins: the role of an extracellular domain of integrin in intracellular signaling.

Integrins mediate cell adhesion and signal transduction at focal adhesions. Here we investigate the roles of integrin beta subunits in the regulation of actin cytoskeletal structure and the activities of Rho and Rac. The overexpression of beta3 integrin in Chinese hamster ovary cells enhances Rho activity and stress fiber formation, whereas the overexpression of beta1 integrin increases Rac activity and lamellipodia formation. The overexpression of a mutant beta1-3-1 integrin, in which the extracellular I-domain-like sequence of beta1 integrin has been replaced with the corresponding sequence of beta3 integrin, also enhances Rho activity and the formation of stress fibers. Our results demonstrate that beta1 and beta3 integrins differentially regulate the activities of Rho family GTPases and that the extracellular domains of integrin beta subunits play a critical role in transducing the extracellular ligand-binding information into specific intracellular signaling events.

Actins↗

Localization of the alpha 7 integrin gene (ITGA7) on human chromosome 12q13: clustering of integrin and Hox genes implies parallel evolution of these gene families.

Expression of the alpha 7 integrin gene (ITGA7) is developmentally regulated during the formation of skeletal muscle. Increased levels of expression and production of isoforms containing different cytoplasmic and extracellular domains accompany myogenesis. To determine whether a single or multiple alpha 7 genes underlie the structural diversity in this alpha chain that accompanies development, we have examined the rat and human genomes by Southern blotting and in situ hybridization. Our results demonstrate that there is only one alpha 7 gene in both the rat and the human genomes. In the human, ITGA7 is present on chromosome 12q13. Phylogenetic analysis of the integrin alpha chain sequences suggests that the early integrin genes evolved in two pathways to form the I-integrins and the non-I-integrins. The I-integrin alpha chains contain an additional sequence of approximately 180 amino acids and arose as a result of an early insertion into the non-I-gene. The I-chain subfamily further evolved by duplications within the same chromosome. The non-I-integrin alpha chain genes are localized in clusters on chromosomes 2, 12, and 17, and this closely coincides with the localization of the human homeobox gene clusters. Non-I-integrin alpha chain genes appear to have evolved in parallel and in proximity to the Hox clusters. Thus, the Hox genes that underlie the design of body structure and the Integrin genes that underlie informed cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions appear to have evolved in parallel and coordinate fashions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Suppression of integrin activation by the membrane-distal sequence of the integrin alphaIIb cytoplasmic tail.

Integrin cytoplasmic tails regulate integrin activation including an increase in integrin affinity for ligands. Although there is ample evidence that the membrane-proximal regions of the alpha and beta tails interact with each other to maintain integrins in a low-affinity state, little is known about the role of the membrane-distal region of the alpha tail in regulation of integrin activation. We report a critical sequence for regulation of integrin activation in the membrane-distal region of the alphaIIb tail. Alanine substitution of the RPP residues in the alphaIIb tail rendered alphaIIbbeta3 constitutively active in a metabolic energy-dependent manner. Although an alphaIIb/alpha6Abeta3 chimaeric integrin, in which the alphaIIb tail was replaced by the alpha6A tail, was in an energy-dependent active state to bind soluble ligands, introduction of the RPP sequence into the alpha6A tail inhibited binding of an activation-dependent antibody PAC1. In alphaIIb/alpha6Abeta3, deleting the TSDA sequence from the alpha6A tail or single amino acid substitutions of the TSDA residues inhibited alphaIIb/alpha6Abeta3 activation and replacing the membrane-distal region of the alphaIIb tail with TSDA rendered alphaIIbbeta3 active, suggesting a stimulatory role of TSDA in energy-dependent integrin activation. However, adding TSDA to the alphaIIb tail containing the RPP sequence of the membrane-distal region failed to activate alphaIIbbeta3. These results suggest that the RPP sequence after the GFFKR motif of the alphaIIb tail suppresses energy-dependent alphaIIbbeta3 activation. These findings provide a molecular basis for the regulation of energy-dependent integrin activation by alpha subunit tails.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pathogenic hantaviruses bind plexin-semaphorin-integrin domains present at the apex of inactive, bent alphavbeta3 integrin conformers.

The alphavbeta3 integrins are linked to human bleeding disorders, and pathogenic hantaviruses regulate the function of alphavbeta3 integrins and cause acute vascular diseases. alphavbeta3 integrins are present in either extended (active) or dramatically bent (inactive) structures, and interconversion of alphavbeta3 conformers dynamically regulates integrin functions. Here, we show that hantaviruses bind human alphavbeta3 integrins and that binding maps to the plexin-semaphorin-integrin (PSI) domain present at the apex of inactive, bent, alphavbeta3-integrin structures. Pathogenic hantaviruses [New York-1 virus (NY-1V) and Hantaan virus (HTNV)] bind immobilized beta3 polypeptides containing the PSI domain, and human (but not murine) beta3 polypeptides inhibit hantavirus infectivity. Substitution of human beta3 residues 1-39 for murine beta3 residues directed pathogenic hantavirus infection of nonpermissive CHO cells expressing chimeric alphavbeta3 receptors. Mutation of murine beta3 Asn-39 to Asp-39 present in human beta3 homologues (N39D) permitted hantavirus infection of cells and specified PSI domain residue interactions with pathogenic hantaviruses. In addition, cell-surface expression of alphavbeta3 locked in an inactive bent conformation conferred hantavirus infectivity of CHO cells. Our findings indicate that hantaviruses bind to a unique domain exposed on inactive integrins and, together with prior findings, suggest that this interaction restricts alphavbeta3 functions that regulate vascular permeability. Our findings suggest mechanisms for viruses to direct hemorrhagic or vascular diseases and provide a distinct target for modulating alphavbeta3-integrin functions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The inhibitory anti-beta1 integrin monoclonal antibody 13 recognizes an epitope that is attenuated by ligand occupancy. Evidence for allosteric inhibition of integrin function.

Integrin-ligand binding causes conformational changes in the integrin, as evidenced by the increased expression of epitopes known as ligand-induced binding sites. Some monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that recognize ligand-induced binding sites stimulate ligand binding, possibly by stabilizing the ligand-occupied conformation of the integrin. Here we have investigated the effect of ligand recognition by alpha5beta1 on the binding of a mAb that inhibits beta1 integrin function (mAb 13). Ligand (fibronectin fragment or GRGDS peptide) decreased the binding of mAb 13 to alpha5beta1. Analysis of this inhibition showed that at high ligand concentrations, approximately 50% of the total integrin bound mAb 13 with >50-fold lower affinity than in the absence of ligand. The concentration of ligand required for half-maximal inhibition of antibody binding was independent of antibody concentration, suggesting that ligand acts as an allosteric inhibitor of mAb 13 binding. Hence, ligand and mAb 13 did not appear to compete directly for binding to alpha5beta1. The stimulatory anti-beta1 mAb 9EG7 was found to increase the maximum level of ligand binding approximately 2-fold, indicating that up to 50% of the total integrin could not bind ligand without 9EG7 stimulation. Analysis of mAb 13 binding in the presence of 9EG7 and ligand (i.e. maximal ligand occupancy) demonstrated that essentially all of the integrin bound mAb 13 with very low or zero affinity. Our results demonstrate that mAb 13 recognizes an epitope that is dramatically attenuated in the ligand-occupied form of alpha5beta1. Hence, since mAb 13 preferentially recognizes the unoccupied conformation of the integrin, the antibody may inhibit ligand binding by stabilizing the unoccupied state of alpha5beta1. In addition, we present evidence that the binding of mAb 13 to ligand-occupied alpha5beta1 may also induce a conformational change in the integrin, resulting in the displacement of ligand.

Allosteric Regulation↗

HERG K+ channels activation during beta(1) integrin-mediated adhesion to fibronectin induces an up-regulation of alpha(v)beta(3) integrin in the preosteoclastic leukemia cell line FLG 29.1.

Integrin receptors have been demonstrated to mediate either "inside-to-out" and "outside-to-in" signals, and by this way are capable of regulating many cellular functions, such as cell growth and differentiation, cell migration, and activation. Among the various integrin-centered signaling pathways discovered so far, we demonstrated that the modulation of the electrical potential of the plasma membrane (V(REST)) is an early integrin-mediated signal, which is related to neurite emission in neuroblastoma cells. This modulation is sustained by the activation of HERG K(+) channels, encoded by the ether-à-go-go-related gene (herg). The involvement of integrin-mediated signaling is being discovered in the hemopoietic system: in particular, osteoclasts are generated as well as induced to differentiate by interaction of osteoclast progenitors with the stromal cells, through the involvement of integrin receptors. We studied the effects of cell interaction with the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin (FN) in a human leukemic preosteoclastic cell line (FLG 29.1 cells), which has been demonstrated to express HERG currents. We report here that FLG 29.1 cells indeed adhere to purified FN through integrin receptors, and that this adhesion induces an osteoclast phenotype in these cells, as evidenced by the appearance of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, as well as by the increased expression of CD51/alpha(v)beta(3) integrin and calcitonin receptor. An early activation of HERG current (I(HERG)), without any increase in herg RNA or modifications of HERG protein was also observed in FN-adhering cells. This activation is apparently sustained by the beta(1) integrin subunit activation, through the involvement of a pertussis-toxin sensitive G(i) protein, and appears to be a determinant signal for the up-regulation of alpha(v)beta(3) integrin, as well as for the increased expression of calcitonin receptor.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗