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Cell fusion mediates dramatic alterations in the actin cytoskeleton, focal adhesions, and E‐cadherin in trophoblastic cells
Author(s) -
Ishikawa Atsuko,
Omata Waka,
Ackerman William E.,
Takeshita Toshiyuki,
Vandré Dale D.,
Robinson John M.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
cytoskeleton
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.95
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1949-3592
pISSN - 1949-3584
DOI - 10.1002/cm.21165
Subject(s) - microbiology and biotechnology , biology , syncytiotrophoblast , focal adhesion , cell fusion , cytoskeleton , actin cytoskeleton , cadherin , cell adhesion , actin , adherens junction , cell adhesion molecule , cell , signal transduction , placenta , biochemistry , genetics , pregnancy , fetus
The syncytiotrophoblast of the human placenta is a unique epithelia structure with millions of nuclei sharing a common cytoplasm. The syncytiotrophoblast forms by cell–cell fusion of cytotrophoblasts (CTB), the mononuclear precursor cells. The trophoblastic BeWo cell line has been used as a surrogate for CTB since they can be induced to fuse, and subsequently display numerous syncytiotrophoblast differentiation markers following syncytial formation. In this study, we have focused on alterations in the cell‐adhesion molecule E‐cadherin, actin cytoskeleton, and focal adhesions following BeWo cell fusion, since these entities may be interrelated. There was a dramatic reorganization of the distribution of E‐cadherin as well as a reduction in the amount of E‐cadherin following cell fusion. Reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton was also observed, which was associated with a change in the globular actin (G‐actin)/filamentous actin (F‐actin) ratio. Concomitantly, the morphology of focal adhesions was altered, but this occurred without a corresponding change in the levels of focal adhesion marker proteins. Thus, extensive remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesions accompanies cell fusion and differentiation and appears related to alterations in E‐cadherin in trophoblastic cells. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.