The basic framework of VE-cadherin junctions revealed by cryo-EM.
Artificial adherens junctions were reconstituted in vitro by assembly of cadherin fragments at the surfaces of liposomes. The architecture of the adherens junctions was revealed by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The formation of these artificial adherens junctions was shown to result from the two-dimensional (2D) self-assembly of cadherin fragments at membrane surfaces. The molecular architecture of the junctions was resolved by combining information from several cryo-EM views. This study concludes to the 2D ordered nature of the cadherin assembly and shows that the minimal information required to build up an adherens junction is contained within the extracellular moiety of cadherin molecules.
Lambert
Olivier
O
IECB, UMR-CNRS 5471, Université Bordeaux1, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, F-33607 Pessac, France.
Taveau
Jean-Christophe
JC
Him
Joséphine Lai Kee
JL
Al Kurdi
Rana
R
Gulino-Debrac
Danielle
D
Brisson
Alain
A
D022005:Adherens Junctions / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D015703:Antigens, CD; D015820:Cadherins; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D020285:Cryoelectron Microscopy; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes
D015703:Antigens, CD; C050361:CDH2 protein, human; D015820:Cadherins; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D008081:Liposomes