Is PECAM-1 a mechanoresponsive molecule?
Endothelial cells are capable of responding to fluid shear stress, but the molecular mechanism for this biological response remains largely unknown. Our studies indicate that the cell-cell adhesion site is a possible site of flow sensing. PECAM-1, a cell adhesion molecule localized to the interendothelial cell adhesion site, is tyrosine-phosphorylated when endothelial cells are exposed to physiological levels of fluid shear stress. This PE-CAM-1 phosphorylation initiates a signaling cascade leading to ERK activation. Here we review what is known about PECAM-1 tyrosine phosphorylation and suggest a possible role of PECAM-1 in mechanosensing by endothelial cells.
Fujiwara
K
K
Center for Cardiovascular Research, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester, NY 14624, USA. Keigi_Fujiwara@urmc.rochester.edu
Masuda
M
M
Osawa
M
M
Kano
Y
Y
Katoh
K
K
D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1