Discrete interactions in cell adhesion measured by single-molecule force spectroscopy.
Cell-cell adhesion mediated by specific cell-surface molecules is essential for multicellular development. Here we quantify de-adhesion forces at the resolution of individual cell-adhesion molecules, by controlling the interactions between single cells and combining single-molecule force spectroscopy with genetic manipulation. Our measurements are focused on a glycoprotein, contact site A (csA), as a prototype of cell-adhesion proteins. csA is expressed in aggregating cells of Dictyostelium discoideum, which are engaged in development of a multicellular organism. Adhesion between two adjacent cell surfaces involves discrete interactions characterized by an unbinding force of 23 +/- 8 pN, measured at a rupture rate of 2.5 +/- 0.5 microm s-1.
Benoit
M
M
Centre for Nanoscience, Ludwig Maximilians Universität München, Amalienstrabetae 54, D-80799 München, Germany. Martin.Benoit@physik.uni-muenchen.de
Gabriel
D
D
Gerisch
G
G
Gaub
H E
HE
D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002449:Cell Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004023:Dictyostelium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics; D007700:Kinetics; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D014162:Transfection
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D002614:Chelating Agents; D010743:Phospholipids; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C052291:cell cohesion molecule, Dictyostelium; D004492:Edetic Acid; D002118:Calcium