title: Clec14a is specifically expressed in endothelial cells and mediates cell to cell adhesion.
abstract: Clec14a is a member of the thrombomodulin (TM) family, but its function has not yet been determined. Here, we report that Clec14a is a plasma membrane protein of endothelial cells (ECs) expressed specifically in the vasculature of mice. Deletion mutant analysis revealed that Clec14a mediates cell-cell adhesion through its C-type lectin-like domain. Knockdown of Clec14a in ECs suppressed cell migratory activity and filopodial protrusion, and delayed formation of tube-like structures. These findings demonstrate that Clec14a is a novel EC-specific protein that appears to play a role in cell-cell adhesion and angiogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Sik
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Rho
authors.forename: Hyun-Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Jeong-Ki
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Heon-Woo
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hongryeol
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hyojin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Young-Myeong
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Young-Guen
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Kwon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D017353:Gene Deletion; D020868:Gene Silencing; D006801:Humans; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic
chemical_list: C570898:CLEC14A protein, human; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; C555817:Clec14a protein, mouse; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008565:Membrane Proteins