title: Cdk5 regulates cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion in lens epithelial cells.
abstract: Cdk5 is a member of the cyclin-dependent kinase family, which is expressed predominantly in terminally differentiated neurons. Lower levels of Cdk5 are also found in a wide variety of cell types, including the lens. Although Cdk5 has been shown to play an important role in neuronal migration and neurite outgrowth, its function in non-neuronal cells is not known. Therefore, this study was undertaken to explore the role of Cdk5 in the lens. Results showed that, within the adult mouse lens, Cdk5 was localized to the cytoplasm, especially along the lateral membranes of differentiating primary fiber cells, which suggests a role in cell-cell adhesion. Staining at the tips of elongating fiber cells was also particularly strong, suggesting a role in cell-matrix adhesion. To examine the possible role of Cdk5 in lens epithelial cell adhesion, we stably transfected N/N1003A rabbit lens epithelial cells with cDNAs for Cdk5 or a dominant-negative mutation, Cdk5-T33. Attachment to a fibronectin matrix, as measured with substrate-coated cell adhesion strips, was increased by Cdk5 overexpression, while an equivalent overexpression of Cdk5-T33 had no effect. Cdk5 also increased the rate of cell attachment and spreading as measured by electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS). In addition, Cdk5 overexpression decreased cell-cell adhesion as measured by a cell aggregation assay. These findings suggest that Cdk5 plays a role in regulating both cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions in the lens.
authors.affiliation: National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Sewite
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Negash
authors.forename: Hwai-Shi
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Dolena
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ledee
authors.forename: Peggy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zelenka
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D021982:Cell-Matrix Junctions / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D051360:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000166:cytology*; D051379:Mice; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C089495:neuronal Cdk5 activator (p25-p35); D051360:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5; C495906:Cdk5 protein, mouse; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases