title: Endoglin expression on human microvascular endothelial cells association with betaglycan and formation of higher order complexes with TGF-beta signalling receptors.
abstract: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) plays an important role in angiogenesis and vascular function. Endoglin, a transmembrane TGF-beta binding protein, is highly expressed on vascular endothelial cells and is the target gene for the hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia type I (HHT1), a dominantly inherited vascular disorder. The specific function of endoglin responsible for HHT1 is believed to involve alterations in TGF-beta responses. The initial interactions on the cell surface between endoglin and TGF-beta receptors may be an important mechanism by which endoglin modulates TGF-beta signalling, and thereby responses. Here it is shown that on human microvascular endothelial cells, endoglin is co-expressed and is associated with betaglycan, a TGF-beta accessory receptor with which endoglin shares limited amino acid homology. This complex formation may occur in either a ligand-dependent or a ligand-independent manner. In addition, the occurrence of three higher order complexes containing endoglin, type II and/or type I TGF-beta receptors, on these cells is demonstrated. Our findings suggest that endoglin may modify TGF-beta signalling by interacting with both betaglycan and the TGF-beta signalling receptors at physiological receptor concentrations and ratios.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Montreal General Hospital and Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hamel
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chevalier
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Philip
mesh_terms: D000345:Affinity Labels; D015703:Antigens, CD; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002460:Cell Line; D000071063:Endoglin; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D011485:Protein Binding; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000378:metabolism; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000345:Affinity Labels; D015703:Antigens, CD; C064206:ENG protein, human; D000071063:Endoglin; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D011509:Proteoglycans; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; C071736:betaglycan