Expression of CD44 confers a new adhesive phenotype on transfected cells.
The function of the CD44 glycoprotein as an adhesion molecule was directly tested by transformation of a CD44 cDNA into mouse fibroblasts. This cDNA was expressed as a heavily modified cell surface protein reactive with monoclonal antibodies that recognize glycoproteins now identified in primates as CD44. Independent transfectants exhibited a new self-adhesive phenotype, forming large aggregates when placed in suspension. In variants derived from a clone of cells, aggregation competence segregated with expression of the transfected gene. This CD44-mediated adhesion was blocked specifically by monoclonal antibodies binding one immunologically defined region of CD44. Nontransfected L cells did not self-aggregate but were capable of adhering to the transfectants, indicating that at least one ligand for this adhesion molecule is expressed by mouse fibroblasts.
St John
T
T
Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98104.
Meyer
J
J
Idzerda
R
R
Gallatin
W M
WM
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D002449:Cell Aggregation; D007739:L Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D010215:Papio; D010641:Phenotype; D010957:Plasmids; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing; D014162:Transfection
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing