Regulation of adhesion by flexible ectodomains of IgCAMs.
To perform their diverse biological functions the adhesion activities of the cell adhesion molecules of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgCAMs) might be regulated by local clustering, proteolytical shedding of their ectodomains or rapid recycling to and from the plasma membrane. Another form of regulation of adhesion might be obtained through flexible ectodomains of IgCAMs which adopt distinct conformations and which in turn modulate their adhesion activity. Here, we discuss variations in the conformation of the extracellular domains of CEACAM1 and CAR that might influence their binding and signaling activities. Furthermore, we concentrate on alternative splicing of single domains and short segments in the extracellular regions of L1 subfamily members that might affect the organization of the N-terminal located Ig-like domains. In particular, we discuss variations of the linker sequence between Ig-like domains 2 and 3 (D2 and D3) that is required for the horseshoe conformation.
Naturwissenschaftliches und Medizinisches Institut an der Universität Tübingen, Markwiesenstr. 55, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany.
Hansjürgen
H
Volkmer
Jadwiga
J
Schreiber
Fritz G
FG
Rathjen
D017398:Alternative Splicing; D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D030161:Avian Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D062727:Coxsackie and Adenovirus Receptor-Like Membrane Protein / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D019006:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000737:chemistry; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary
D015703:Antigens, CD; D030161:Avian Proteins; C069847:CD66 antigens; C490650:CHL1 protein, human; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D062727:Coxsackie and Adenovirus Receptor-Like Membrane Protein; D007136:Immunoglobulins; C102222:NRCAM protein, Gallus gallus; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D019006:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules; C504595:Nfasc protein, Gallus gallus; C501528:SAX-7 protein, C elegans