Mammalian Fat1 cadherin regulates actin dynamics and cell-cell contact

J Cell Biol. 2004 May 24;165(4):517-28. doi: 10.1083/jcb.200403006. Epub 2004 May 17.

Abstract

Fat cadherins form a distinct subfamily of the cadherin gene superfamily, and are featured by their unusually large extracellular domain. In this work, we investigated the function of a mammalian Fat cadherin. Fat1 was localized at filopodial tips, lamellipodial edges, and cell-cell boundaries, overlapping with dynamic actin structures. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of Fat1 resulted in disorganization of cell junction-associated F-actin and other actin fibers/cables, disturbance of cell-cell contacts, and also inhibition of cell polarity formation at wound margins. Furthermore, we identified Ena/vasodilator-stimulated phosphoproteins as a potential downstream effector of Fat1. These results suggest that Fat1 regulates actin cytoskeletal organization at cell peripheries, thereby modulating cell contacts and polarity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Actin Cytoskeleton / ultrastructure
  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites / genetics
  • Cadherins / genetics
  • Cadherins / metabolism*
  • Cell Adhesion / genetics*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Polarity / genetics*
  • Fetus
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Junctions / metabolism
  • Intercellular Junctions / ultrastructure
  • Mice
  • Protein Binding / genetics
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary / genetics
  • Pseudopodia / metabolism*
  • Pseudopodia / ultrastructure
  • Wound Healing / genetics

Substances

  • Actins
  • Cadherins
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Evl protein, mouse
  • FAT1 protein, human
  • fat1 protein, mouse