title: DPP in the matrix mediates cell adhesion but is not restricted to stickiness: a tale of signaling.
abstract: Cell adhesion to DPP substrate is an integrin-mediated event and involves integrin binding, clustering, assembly of focal adhesion complexes and cytoskeletal organization. Cells perceive the DPP substrate through the integrin receptor αvβ1 and bind the actin cytoskeleton to the membrane via focal adhesion sites. The cells respond to this proteinaceous rigid substrate by activating the mechano-chemical signaling events leading to cell spreading and formation of focal adhesions. Focal adhesions, which are sites of integrin binding to the extracellular matrix, form in the leading edge during cell migration. These sites are dynamic and the supramolecular assemblies contain structural and signaling components regulating cell functions. In our study, we present a scenario that integrins utilize the actin network to permit activation of the mitogen-activated kinase modules to transduce signals through the cytoplasm to the nucleus in the presence of DPP. We specifically demonstrate that ERK-mediated transcriptional events impinge on activation of transcription factors leading to cell differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Brodie Tooth Development Genetics & Regenerative Medicine Research Laboratory, Department of Oral Biology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
authors.forename: Asha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eapen
authors.forename: Amsaveni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramachandran
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: George
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D002465:Cell Movement; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D051416:Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D010750:Phosphoproteins; C017630:phosphophoryn; D051416:Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases