title: Spatially and temporally regulated alpha6 integrin cleavage during Xenopus laevis development.
abstract: The alpha6 integrin is essential for early nervous system development in Xenopus laevis. We have previously reported a uPA cleaved form of integrin alpha6 (alpha6p), in invasive human prostate cancer tissue, whose presence correlates with increased migration and invasive capacity. We now report that alpha6 is cleaved during the normal development of Xenopus in a spatially and temporally controlled manner. In addition, unlike normal mammalian tissues, which lack alpha6p, the major form of the alpha6 integrin present in adult Xenopus is alpha6p. The protease responsible for the cleavage in mammals, uPA, is not involved in the cleavage of Xenopus alpha6. Finally, overexpression of a mammalian alpha6 mutant which cannot be cleaved leads to developmental abnormalities suggesting a potential role for the cleavage in development.
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Cyprus, Kallipoleos 75, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus.
authors: Manolis C
authors: MC
authors: Demetriou
authors: Panayiota
authors: P
authors: Stylianou
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Andreou
authors: Olga
authors: O
authors: Yiannikouri
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Tsaprailis
authors: Anne E
authors: AE
authors: Cress
authors: Paris
authors: P
authors: Skourides
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D039503:Integrin alpha6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000196:embryology* / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D039503:Integrin alpha6