Role of alpha(3)beta(1) integrin in tubulogenesis of Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.
BACKGROUND
We isolated several Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) subclones that exhibit different degrees of branching tubulogenesis in lower concentrations of collagen gel. The M634 clone formed cell aggregates in 0.3% collagen gel, but developed branching tubules vigorously in 0.1% collagen gel. In contrast, the Y224 clone formed cysts in 0.3% collagen gel and displayed fewer branching structures in 0.1% collagen gel. Morphologically, M634 cells exhibited higher levels of cell scattering as well as collagen-induced cell migration than Y224. We conducted this study to delineate the underlying mechanism of branching tubulogenesis in M634 cells.


METHODS
Components of the focal contact machinery were analyzed in both cell lines, including the extracellular matrix glycoproteins fibronectin, laminin, and vitronectin; cytoskeleton-associated elements alpha-actinin, talin, and vinculin; and receptors for extracellular matrix and alpha(2), alpha(3), alpha(5), alpha(v), beta(1), and beta(3) integrins. Furthermore, we established several stable transfectants of alpha(3) integrin antisense RNA in M634 cells to examine the role of alpha(3)beta(1) integrin in branching morphogenesis directly.


RESULTS
There were no obvious differences in levels of the focal adhesion complex proteins between M634 and Y224 cells, except that the content of the alpha(3) and beta1 integrins were 1.2- and 0.6-fold higher in M634 cells, respectively. The expression of alpha(3) integrin antisense RNA significantly lowered the levels of alpha(3) integrin mRNA and protein. The potential of cell scattering, migration, and branching tubulogenesis in M634 cells was inhibited according to the decrease in alpha(3) integrin expression.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data indicate that expression of alpha(3)beta(1) integrin regulates cell scattering, migration, and branching tubulogenesis of MDCK cells, possibly via adhesion to or serving as a signaling molecule for type I collagen.
Jiang
S T
ST
Department of Physiology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan.
Chiu
S J
SJ
Chen
H C
HC
Chuang
W J
WJ
Tang
M J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D003094:Collagen; D003470:Culture Media; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D004285:Dogs; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D039422:Integrin alpha3; D039201:Integrin alpha3beta1; D016023:Integrins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016372:RNA, Antisense / Q000235:genetics; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D014162:Transfection
D015703:Antigens, CD; D003470:Culture Media; D017931:DNA Primers; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D005782:Gels; D039422:Integrin alpha3; D039201:Integrin alpha3beta1; D016023:Integrins; D016372:RNA, Antisense; D003094:Collagen