title: Analysis of cell-cell contact mediated by Ig superfamily cell adhesion molecules.
abstract: Cell-cell adhesion is a fundamental requirement for all multicellular organisms. The calcium-independent cell adhesion molecules of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF-CAMs) represent a major subgroup. They consist of immunoglobulin folds alone or in combination with other protein modules, often fibronectin type-III folds. More than 100 IgSF-CAMs have been identified in vertebrates and invertebrates. Most of the IgSF-CAMs are cell surface molecules that are membrane-anchored either by a single transmembrane segment or by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. Some of the IgSF-CAMs also occur in soluble form, e.g., in the cerebrospinal fluid or in the vitreous fluid of the eye, due to naturally occurring cleavage of the GPI anchor or the membrane-proximal peptide segment. Some IgSF-CAMs, such as NCAM, occur in various forms that are generated by alternative splicing. This unit contains a series of protocols that have been used to study the function of IgSF-CAMs in vitro and in vivo.
authors: Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: Esther T
authors: ET
authors: Stoeckli
authors: School of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
authors: Devrim
authors: D
authors: Kilinc
authors: Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: Beat
authors: B
authors: Kunz
authors: Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Kunz
authors: School of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
authors: Gil U
authors: GU
authors: Lee
authors: Nanomedicine Centre, School of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Martines
authors: Department of Cancer Biology, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, Florida.
authors: Christoph
authors: C
authors: Rader
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Suter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001671:Biochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D020239:Receptor Cross-Talk; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D005353:Fibronectins; C482101:IGSF11 protein, human; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors
keywords: adhesive strength; axon; cell-cell adhesion; neural development; primary cell culture; protein-protein interaction