Work

Insoluble fibronectin activates the Na/H antiporter by clustering and immobilizing integrin alpha 5 beta 1, independent of cell shape.

Year: 1991

Type: article

Abstract: Growth of anchorage-dependent cells requires both soluble mitogens and insoluble extracellular matrix molecules such as fibronectin. Soluble growth factors activate chemical signaling pathways and stimulate proliferation by binding to transmembrane receptors. Insoluble fibronectin also binds to cell-surface receptors; however, it is thought to act primarily via effects on the cytoskeleton and cell shape. We recently demonstrated that cell spreading on surface-adsorbed fibronectin activates the Na/H antiporter and that inhibition of this chemical-signaling pathway suppresses growth. We now show that insoluble fibronectin activates the Na/H antiporter by clustering and immobilizing integrin alpha 5 beta 1, independent of effects on cell shape. These results show that an extracellular matrix receptor can behave similarly to a growth factor receptor to activate a signaling pathway implicated in growth control.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.88.17.7849

Authors: M A Schwartz, C Lechene, D E Ingber

Institution: Harvard University

Language: English

Topic: Cell Adhesion Molecules Research

Subfield: Immunology and Allergy

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Cancer Institute, National Center for Research Resources

Awards: NATIONAL ELECTRON PROBE RESOURCE FOR ANALYSIS OF CELLS, Regulation of Angiogenesis