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Paradoxical effects of N‐Cadherin overexpression in embryonic stem cells
Author(s) -
Gillum Nikki,
Karabekian Zaruhi,
Sarvazyan Narine
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.1155.17
Subject(s) - embryonic stem cell , cadherin , microbiology and biotechnology , stem cell , biology , induced pluripotent stem cell , adhesion , cell adhesion , downregulation and upregulation , connexin , chemistry , cell , genetics , gap junction , gene , intracellular , organic chemistry
Pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESC) are a promising source for the regeneration of damaged tissues. To date, it is not known whether genetic modification of ESC can promote their integration into the host tissue and whether upregulation of the adhesion proteins would facilitate this process. We tested a hypothesis that overexpression of a major adhesion protein, N‐Cadherin, will alter the adhesive properties of embryonic stem cells. Constitutive overexpression of a major adhesion protein, N‐Cadherin, in an embryonic stem cell line led to marked changes in the phenotype and adhesion properties of these cells. These changes occur despite the lack of a detectable increase in membrane‐associated N‐Cadherin. The level and the membrane distribution of gap junctional protein Connexin‐43 and the amount of p120‐catenin are elevated in N‐Cadherin overexpressing cells, pointing to altered protein‐protein interactions at cell junctions. The data suggest that while the overexpression of N‐Cadherin makes embryonic stem cells more adhesive, the effect might be paradoxically mediated by other proteins. Financial support by the American Heart Association, MidAtlantic Affiliate (0715335U) and the NIH ( HL076722 , HL087529 ) is gratefully acknowledged.