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Paxillin phosphorylation and integrin expression in osteoblasts infected by Porphyromonas gingivalis.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated early biological events initiated by Porphyromonas gingivalis infection of human osteoblasts, focusing on tyrosine-phosphorylation and the expression of key components in focal adhesion and cell signalling. DESIGN: Human primary osteoblasts were challenged for 1h with Porphyromonas gingivalis. Tyrosine-phosphorylation of paxillin and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was examined by Western blotting. Changes in alpha3- and beta1-integrin mRNA expression were quantified by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Tyrosine-phosphorylation of paxillin was proportional to the size of the Porphyromonas gingivalis inoculum. FAK, a potential kinase for paxillin, was not activated. The amount of alpha3- and beta1-integrins, determined by Western blotting, did not vary significantly, while the corresponding mRNA levels fell significantly when a large bacterial inoculum was used. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that Porphyromonas gingivalis infection of osteoblasts in vitro triggers tyrosine-phosphorylation of paxillin but not FAK and modify alpha3- and beta1-integrin mRNA expression. This infection thus appears to have different effects on components with essential roles in focal adhesion (paxillin) and cell signalling (FAK and integrins).

Bacterial Adhesion↗

[Epidermal growth factor induce the epithelial stem cell island formation in the regenerated epidermis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the cell reversion and epithelial stem cell distribution in skins from different developed stages and regenerated epidermis treated with rhEGF. METHODS: Tissue biopsies from 8 regenerated ulcer skins treated with recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) were used to evaluate the cell reversion and stem cell distribution in epidermis. The expression of beta1 integrin, keratin 19 (K19), keratin 14 (K14) and keratin 10 (K10) in skin was detected with Streptavidin/Peroxidase (SP) immunohistochemical methods. Another 15 biopsies including 7 cases from the regenerated epidermis treated with SD-Ag, 3 cases from fetus (24 weeks), 3 cases from children and 2 cases from adults were used as the controls. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical stain from beta1 integrin and keratin 19 showed that there were some stem cell islands in epidermis treated with rhEGF. These cells were small and exhibiting positive expression with beta1 integrin and K19 stain. They were isolated, bearing no anatomic relation with the epithelial stem cells in the basal layer. The serial identification experiments indicated that there were no similar stem cell islands in skins from normal adult skin, fetus or child's skin and the regenerated epidermis treated with SD-Ag. All of these results supported that these beta1 integrin and K19 positive stain cells were the stem cells. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that these stem cell islands were the specific and individual cell structures in rhEGF treated wounds. There is a possibility that these cells come from the cell reversion from differentiated cells to undifferentiated stem cells.

Epidermal Growth Factor↗

RACK1 associates with NHE5 in focal adhesions and positively regulates the transporter activity.

Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 5 (NHE5) is a brain-enriched NHE that may play important roles in ion homeostasis and cell-volume regulation. However, the regulation mechanism of NHE5 has not been fully elucidated. Here, we show that Receptor for Activated C-kinase 1 (RACK1) directly binds to NHE5 and positively regulates the transporter function. NHE5 co-localized with RACK1 as well as beta1 integrin, paxillin and vinculin, suggesting that NHE5 associates with focal adhesions. By using RACK1 dominant-negative mutants and siRNA, we further show that RACK1 regulates NHE5 both directly and through an integrin-dependent pathway. The NHE5-RACK1 interaction, but not the RACK1-beta1 integrin interaction, was reinforced when cells were spread on an integrin-substrate fibronectin. We propose that RACK1 activates NHE5 both by integrin-dependent and independent pathways, which may coordinate cellular ion homeostasis during cell-matrix adhesion.

Animals↗

[Immunomagnetic beads sorting and functional identification of human spermatogonial stem cells].

OBJECTIVE: The very nature of spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) is still poorly understood. The objective of this study is to explore the specific markers of human SSC and search for the suitable method for their isolation and functional identification. METHODS: Adults testicular cell suspensions were sorted by immunomagnetic beads method using alpha6,beta1 integrin and Thy-1 markers. The light-scattering properties and DNA Ploidy of the resultant subpopulations were analyzed by flow cytometry. The efficacies of the sorting on human SSC were evaluated by germ cell transplantation. RESULTS: (1) The alpha6+ Thy-1+ c-kit- and beta1+ Thy-1+ c-kit- cells were relatively uniform subpopulations in size and morphology, which represented about 2%-3% and 0.5%-1% of the unsorted testis cells, respectively. The analysis of light-scattering properties showed that both of the subpopulations had low side light-scattering properties. The DNA Ploidy analysis showed significant changes of these two cell subpopulations in DNA Ploidy. The percentage of diploid cells in alpha6+ Thy-1+ c-kit- cell subpopulation significantly increased to 51.2% and synthesis phase and tetraploid cells disappeared. (2) The functional evaluation showed that the SSC in the alpha6+ Thy-1+ c-kit- cells were enriched 40 times and the SSC in the beta1+ Thy-1+ c-kit- cells 20 times that of the unsorted cells. CONCLUSION: The alpha6,beta1 integrin and Thy-1 may be used for the SSC isolation as positive markers. The immunomagnetic beads sorting using alpha6,beta1 integrin and Thy-1 markers can result in significant enrichment of human SSC. It will open up a wide prospect for the researches on the biology of human SSC and the treatment of male sterility.

Adult↗

Integrin expression in developing human salivary glands.

The development and complete differentiation of salivary glands is a complex process that involves a large number of co-ordinated events. Little is known about the molecular basis for salivary gland development. However, we have reported previously that integrins appear to play a role. Integrins are heterodimeric transmembrane receptors consisting of one alpha and one beta subunit that play a pivotal role in the interaction of cells with the extracellular matrix. Such interactions regulate the organisation of cells of tissues and organs during development as well as cell proliferation and differentiation. Using immunohistochemistry and Western and Northern blot analysis, we mapped the localisation and expression of integrins beta1, beta3 and beta4 in human salivary glands obtained from foetuses ranging from weeks 4-24 of gestation and compared it with adult salivary glands. Integrin beta1 first appeared during the canalisation stage and during the differentiation stage. A message first appeared at week 6 of development. The expression of beta4 integrin protein and message was observed only in the late stage of differentiation. Integrin beta3 was not detected in the developing glands; however, integrins beta1, beta3 and beta4 were all expressed in adult salivary gland tissues. The data suggest that integrins, particularly beta1, have a role to play in salivary gland development and differentiation.

Adult↗

Initial adhesion of endothelial cells on polyelectrolyte multilayer films.

Polyelectrolyte multilayer films were recently investigated to favour attachment of Human Vein Umbilical Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) on non-adhesive surfaces. In this study, we evaluated the initial adhesion of HUVECs after 3 h of seeding on two polyelectrolyte multilayer films ending by poly(D-lysine) (PDL) or poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH). In order to obtain information about initial adhesion of HUVECs, cell morphology as well as the expression of beta1 integrins, specific receptors of adhesion, were evaluated after 3 h of seeding on polyelectrolyte multilayer films. The data were also compared to PDL or PAH monolayers (polyelectrolytes terminating the multilayer architecture). The expression of beta1 integrins was not different, whatever are the studied surfaces. However, HUVECs spreading on polyelectrolyte multilayer films, in particular on PAH ending film, was more important as compared to polyelectrolyte monolayers or glass. In conclusion, the best initial adhesion conditions of HUVECs on polyelectrolyte films could not be elucidated, moreover the results suggested also that beta1 integrins could only play a limited role.

Actins↗

Thrombospondin-1 mediates smooth muscle cell proliferation induced by interaction with human platelets.

OBJECTIVES: Platelet adherence and activation are associated with smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and arterial restenosis. This study examined platelet-SMC interaction on fibrillar type I collagen and analyzed the role of thrombospondin (TSP)-1 in platelet-induced SMC proliferation. METHODS AND RESULTS: When SMCs cultured on fibrillar collagen were treated with human platelets (5 preparations), 7.45+/-2.94% of the cells passed through S phase within 24 hours, as determined by bromodeoxyuridine nuclear labeling. The addition of platelets markedly induced SMC TSP-1 mRNA expression and cell surface protein accumulation, which colocalized with adhered platelets, as determined by alpha(IIb) integrin immunostaining. Direct interaction of platelets with SMCs was necessary for its effect on proliferation and TSP-1 accumulation, as determined in the transwell culture system. The anti-TSP-1 blocking antibody strongly inhibited platelet-induced SMC proliferation by approximately 60%. Analysis of the receptors for TSP-1 accumulation on the SMC surface revealed that beta1 integrins are mainly involved. The anti-beta1 integrin blocking antibody, which potently suppressed TSP-1 accumulation on SMCs, also markedly inhibited platelet-stimulated SMC proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: TSP-1 and beta1 integrin interaction is involved in platelet-stimulated SMC proliferation. This in vitro coculture system could prove useful for examining the molecular mechanism underlying platelet-induced vascular remodeling and for studying the mechanism of a tested drug for restenosis.

Arteriosclerosis↗

Chondrocyte survival and differentiation in situ are integrin mediated.

Chondrocytes in specific areas of the chick sternum have different developmental fates. Cephalic chondrocytes become hypertrophic and secrete type X collagen into the extracellular matrix prior to bone deposition. Middle and caudal chondrocytes remain cartilaginous throughout development and continue to secrete collagen types II, IX, and XI. The interaction of integrin receptors with extracellular matrix molecules has been shown to affect cytoskeleton organization, proliferation, differentiation, and gene expression in other cell types. We hypothesized that chondrocyte survival and differentiation including the deposition into interstitial matrix of type X collagen may be integrin receptor mediated. To test this hypothesis, a serum-free organ culture sternal model that recapitulates normal development and maintains the three-dimensional relationships of the tissue was developed. We examined chondrocyte differentiation by five parameters: type X collagen deposition into interstitial matrix, sternal growth, actin distribution, cell shape, and cell diameter changes. Additional sterna were analyzed for apoptosis using a fragmented DNA assay. Sterna were organ cultured with blocking antibodies specific for integrin subunits (alpha2, alpha3, or beta1). In the presence of anti-beta1 integrin (25 microg/ml, clone W1B10), type X collagen deposition into interstitial matrix and sternal growth were significantly inhibited. In addition, all chondrocytes were significantly smaller, the actin was disrupted, and there was a significant increase in apoptosis throughout the specimens. Addition of anti-alpha2 (10 microg/ml, clone P1E6) or anti-alpha3 (10 microg/ml, clone P1B5) integrin partially inhibited type X collagen deposition into interstitial matrix; however, sternal growth and cell size were significantly decreased. These data are the first obtained from intact tissue and demonstrate that the interaction of chondrocytes with extracellular matrix is required for chondrocyte survival and differentiation.

Animals↗

Semaphorin 3C regulates endothelial cell function by increasing integrin activity.

Class 3 semaphorins (sema 3) are secreted guidance proteins. Sema 3A expressed by endothelial cells controls vascular morphogenesis through integrin inhibition. Sema 3C is required for normal cardiovascular patterning. Here we examined the potential role of sema 3C as regulator of endothelial cell function in vitro using mouse glomerular endothelial cells (MGEC). We determined that MGEC express sema 3C mRNA and protein and its receptors mRNA. Recombinant sema 3C induced MGEC proliferation 18 +/- 2% above control, as assessed by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation, and reduced starvation-induced apoptosis by 46 +/- 3%, as indicated by an in situ marker of activated caspase 3. Sema 3C increased MGEC adhesion to fibronectin 79 +/- 13% and to collagen 55 +/- 12% as compared with control. Sema 3C-induced MGEC adhesion was prevented by integrin blocking antibodies and involved beta1 integrin serine phosphorylation. Sema 3C-induced MGEC adhesion and proliferation were similar to those induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A. Sema 3C induced a 44 +/- 11% increase in MGEC directional migration and stimulated MGEC capillary-like network formation on collagen I gels. Collectively, our data indicate that sema 3C promotes glomerular endothelial cell proliferation, adhesion, directional migration, and tube formation in vitro by stimulating integrin phosphorylation and VEGF120 secretion, functions that are similar to VEGF-A and opposite to sema 3A.

Animals↗

Roles of lipid rafts in integrin-dependent adhesion and gp130 signalling pathway in mouse embryonic neural precursor cells.

Neuronal and glial cells organizing the central nervous system are generated from common neural precursor cells present in the neuroepithelium during development. We tried to clarify functions of a cell surface microdomain, lipid raft, in neuroepithelial cells (NECs). NECs are suggested to adhere to fibronectin substratum dependently on integrin molecules. We found that beta1 integrin, a component of fibronectin receptors, was distributed in lipid rafts. Methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MBCD), an inhibitor of lipid raft formation, inhibited the integrin-fibronectin interaction-dependent adhesion of NECs. However, inhibition of synthesis of glycosphingolipids (GSL), components of lipid rafts, did not affect NEC adhesion. Leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), an interleukin 6 type cytokine, induces astrocyte differentiation of NECs via activation of a transcription factor STAT3. We detected gp130, JAK1 and Ras but not STAT3 and ERK2 molecules in lipid rafts of NECs. Disruption of lipid rafts by MBCD inhibited LIF-induced ERK activation but not STAT3 activation. It is thus suggested that LIF-downstream molecules have differential lipid raft-dependency in terms of activation upon LIF-stimulation. In this study, we found functions of lipid rafts in cell adhesion and signal transduction in NECs. This is the first report that characterized functions of lipid rafts in embryonic neural precursor cells.

Animals↗

Integrin-linked kinase regulates vascular morphogenesis induced by vascular endothelial growth factor.

Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is one of the signaling moieties that interact with the cytoplasmic domains of integrin beta1 and beta3 subunits. Integrin-mediated outside-in signals cooperate with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor to promote morphological changes, cell proliferation and motility in endothelial cells. In this report we demonstrate that VEGF-induced vessel morphogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was inhibited by the transfection of a dominant negative, kinase-deficient ILK (ILK-KD), as well as by treatment with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002. VEGF induced phosphorylation of protein kinase B (PKB/Akt), a regulator of cell survival and apoptosis, on serine 473, but not on threonine 308, in an ILK-dependent manner. Furthermore, transfection of antisense ILK (ILK-AS) blocked the survival effect of VEGF in annexin-V binding assays, and a VEGF-mediated decrease in caspase activity was reversed by both ILK-KD and ILK-AS as measured by a homogeneous caspase-3/7 assay. We also demonstrate that both chemotactic migration and cell proliferation of HUVEC induced by VEGF were suppressed by the inhibition of ILK. We conclude that ILK plays an important role in vascular morphogenesis mediated by VEGF.

Animals↗

In vitro analysis of differential expression of collagens, integrins, and growth factors in cultured human chondrocytes.

OBJECTIVES: Tissue engineering represents a promising method for the construction of autologous chondrogenic grafts for reconstructive surgery. In cultured chondrocytes, the dedifferentiation and proliferation of the cells are critical factors that influence the generation of transplants. The aim of our study was to find and characterize markers for cell proliferation and dedifferentiation in cultured chondrocytes. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Human chondrocytes were isolated from septal cartilage and held in primary cell culture. Cells were harvested after 1, 6, and 21 days. The differentiation of the cells was investigated with bright-field microscopy, the expression patterns of various proteins using immunohistochemistry, and the expression of distinct genes with the microarray technique. RESULTS: The chondrocytes showed a strong proliferation. After 6 and 21 days, collagen 9 and 10 were downregulated; collagen 11 was activated. Collagen 1 and 2 were downregulated after 6 days but were reactivated after 21 days. Tumor growth factor beta (TGF-beta)1 was strongly expressed on days 1, 6, and 21, TGF-beta2 was never expressed, and TGF-beta3 and -beta4 were upregulated from day 1 to day 21. The TGF-beta receptor III was expressed on days 1, 6, and 21. Integrin beta1, beta5, and alpha5 were upregulated from day 1 to day 21; integrin beta3 was downregulated. CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE: Collagens 3, 4, 8, 9, and 11 might be new markers for the dedifferentiation of chondrocytes. Collagen 2 might be a marker for the synthetic activity of the cells rather than the dedifferentiation. TGF-beta3 and -beta4 might influence the dedifferentiation, which is fortified by the expression of TGF-beta receptor III. Integrin beta1, beta5, and alpha5 might be involved in signal transmission for the dedifferentiation.

Biomarkers↗

Progressive renal disease: fibroblasts, extracellular matrix, and integrins.

Progressive renal disease is characterized by expansion of the tubulo-interstitium and accumulation of extracellular matrix within this tissue compartment. Interstitial fibroblasts are the primary producers of the interstitial matrix, and in the evolution of tubulo-interstitial fibrosis these cells undergo changes, namely increased proliferation, differentiation to myofibroblasts, and altered extracellular matrix metabolism, all of which, in other cell types, have been shown to be regulated by the major family of extracellular matrix receptors, the integrins. In the normal kidney, interstitial fibroblasts express alpha1, alpha4, alpha5, and beta1 integrins, and fibrosis is associated with increased expression of alpha1, alpha2, alpha5, alphav, and beta1 integrins. In particular, alpha5, beta1, and alphav are suggested to be linked with the fibrotic process. In vitro, renal fibroblasts express a similar range of integrins, and ligation of selected receptors is associated with specific functions. Ligation of alpha6 stimulates proliferation, while alpha5 promotes expression of myofibroblastic phenotype, and beta1 integrin has been implicated in cell contraction. Recent studies suggest that renal fibroblasts also express the non-integrin matrix receptors, discoidin domain receptors, and that changes in activation of these receptors may be associated with fibrogenic events. Thus the current, albeit limited, data suggest an important role for receptors for extracellular matrix molecules in the pathogenesis of progressive renal fibrosis.

Animals↗

Organization of point contacts in neuronal growth cones.

Growth cones from rat dorsal root ganglia plated on laminin contain integrin clusters over the entire growth cone surface, and growth cones make transient adhesions at sites called point contacts. We examined, by immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy, the composition and distribution of point contacts in neuronal growth cones. Vinculin was concentrated in the central domain of growth cones and at the tips of filopodia. Vinculin was specifically associated with integrin clusters at the membrane-substrate interface and thus marked point contacts. The cytoskeletal proteins paxillin and talin colocalized with beta1 integrin in a subpopulation of clusters restricted to the central domain of the growth cone and to the tips of filopodia. The neuron-specific kinase, FAK+ also distributed with the vinculin-positive clusters. The Rho family proteins RhoA, RhoB, and Cdc42 were present in growth cones, and a few Rho clusters were colocalized with vinculin. Examination of proteins resistant to detergent extraction in PC12 cells confirmed the retention of beta1 integrin, paxillin, talin, and vinculin with the cytoskeleton. Moreover, we detected FAK+ and RhoA in the detergent-resistant cytoskeleton, supporting their distribution to point contacts. Our observations indicate that two types of integrin clusters are present in growth cones: those associated with vinculin at the cell substratum interface, and those not associated with vinculin. Point contacts are mature adhesion sites defined by the presence of both beta1 integrin and vinculin, and they are associated with signaling proteins.

Animals↗

Isolation, cloning, and sequence analysis of the integrin subunit alpha10, a beta1-associated collagen binding integrin expressed on chondrocytes.

We have found that chondrocytes express a novel collagen type II-binding integrin, a new member of the beta1-integrin family. The integrin alpha subunit, which has a Mr of 160 kDa reduced, was isolated from bovine chondrocytes by collagen type II affinity purification. The human homologue was obtained by screening a human chondrocyte library with a bovine cDNA probe. Cloning and cDNA sequence analysis of the human integrin alpha subunit designated alpha10 show that it shares the general structure of other integrin alpha subunits. The predicted amino acid sequence consists of a 1167-amino acid mature protein, including a signal peptide (22 amino acids), a long extracellular domain (1098 amino acids), a transmembrane domain (25 amino acids), and a short cytoplasmic domain (22 amino acids). The extracellular part contains a 7-fold repeated sequence, an I-domain (199 amino acids) and three putative divalent cation-binding sites. The deduced amino acid sequence of alpha10 is 35% identical to the integrin subunit alpha2 and 37% identical to the integrin subunit alpha1. Northern blot analysis shows a single mRNA of 5.4 kilobases in chondrocytes. A peptide antibody against the predicted sequence of the cytoplasmic domain of alpha10 immunoprecipitated two proteins with masses of 125 and 160 kDa from chondrocyte lysates under reducing conditions. The peptide antibody specifically stained chondrocytes in tissue sections of human articular cartilage, showing that alpha10 beta1 is expressed in cartilage tissue.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Morphology of sites of adhesion between hepatic stellate cells (vitamin A-storing cells) and a three-dimensional extracellular matrix.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic stellate cells lie in the perisinusoidal space in a three-dimensionally distributed extracellular matrix (ECM). This three-dimensional structure of the ECM regulates the proliferation, morphology, and functions of the stellate cell. To investigate how the three-dimensional structure of ECM regulates behavior of the cells, we cultured stellate cells two- or three-dimensionally and examined the morphology of the cells in both cases as well as the localization of cell-surface adhesion molecules specific for the ECM. METHODS: Isolated rat stellate cells and human stellate cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium. Rat stellate cells were cultured in non-coated polystyrene culture dishes, or on or in type I collagen gels. The morphology of cell-ECM adhesion was examined under transmission and scanning electron microscopes. Localization of integrin alpha2 and integrin beta1 in human stellate cells was examined by immunoelectron microscopy. Immunostaining was performed with a mouse monoclonal anti-human integrin alpha2 or integrin beta1 antibody and goat anti-mouse IgG coupled with 10-nm immunogold. RESULTS: Hepatic stellate cells cultured in polystyrene dishes spread well. However, the cells cultured on or in the type I collagen gel became slender. The cells extended long cellular processes onto or into the gel. The cellular processes were entangled three-dimensionally with the type I collagen fibers and directly adhered to these fibers. The cells inoculated in type I collagen gels formed a large number of adhesive structures that resembled focal adhesions. These adhesive structures were distributed not only on the lower side but also on the upper side of both the cell bodies and cellular processes. Moreover, each adhesive area formed a face but not a point. Integrin alpha2 and integrin beta1 were detected on the surfaces of cell bodies, cellular processes, and microprojections. CONCLUSIONS: The cells cultured in type I collagen gel develop a three-dimensional adhesive structure.

Animals↗

[Study on the location and the expression characteristics of epidermal stem cells in normal adult skin and scar tissue].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the different location and the expression characteristics of epidermal stem cells in normal adult skin and scar tissue. METHODS: Skin tissue specimens were harvested from the corresponding sites from 6 healthy volunteers and from scar tissue of 6 patients 1 year after major deep burn. beta1 integrin and keratin 19 (K19) were employed as the biochemical markers for stem cells and transit amplifying cells identification and keratin 14 (K14) and keratin 10 (K10) as markers for post-mitotic cells and terminally differentiated cells respectively. Integrin and keratin were determined by Elivision two-step immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The expression of beta1 integrin and the K19 positive cell count in the epithelial basal layers of scar tissue were evidently decreased and weakened than those in normal adult healthy skin. Furthermore, the positive cells expressing K14 in epidermis of scar tissue were only located in 2 - 3 layers of basal epidermis, and their number was much less than that in normal adult skin. Whereas the cells positively expressing K10 were distributed wider in area than that in normal healthy skin. The epidermal stem cells and transit amplifying cells in scar epidermis were much less in number than that in normal skin. The differentiation process of scar epidermal stem cells was different from that of normal skin. And the proportions of post-mitotic cells and terminally differentiated cells were abnormal. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the self-renewal ability of the scar epidermis was decreased, and the differentiation process of it was in disorder, which may be a reason for the abnormality of structure and function of the epidermis in scar, and a reason for the decreased ability of wound healing of scar tissue.

Adult↗

The guanine nucleotide exchange factor C3G is necessary for the formation of focal adhesions and vascular maturation.

The Ras signalling pathway has major roles in normal cell function and oncogenesis. C3G is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for members of the Ras family of GTPases. We generated a mouse strain with a hypomorphic C3G allele. C3G(gt/gt) mutant embryos died of vascular defects around E11.5 due to haemorrhage and vascular integrity defects. Vascular supporting cells did not develop appropriately. C3G-deficient fibroblasts responded to PDGF-BB abnormally, exhibited cell adhesion defects and lacked paxillin and integrin-beta1-positive cell adhesions. In contrast, integrin-beta3-positive cell adhesions formed normally. These results show that C3G is required for (1) vascular myogenesis, (2) the formation of paxillin- and integrin beta1-positive, but not integrin beta3-positive, cell adhesions and (3) normal response to PDGF, necessary for vascular myogenesis.

Actins↗