T-cadherin and signal-transducing molecules co-localize in caveolin-rich membrane domains of vascular smooth muscle cells

FEBS Lett. 1998 Jun 12;429(2):207-10. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(98)00598-5.

Abstract

Cadherins are a family of cellular adhesion proteins mediating homotypic cell-cell binding. In contrast to classical cadherins, T-cadherin does not possess the transmembrane and cytosolic domains known to be essential for tight mechanical coupling of cells, and is instead attached to the cell membrane by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. This study explores the hypothesis that T-cadherin might function as a signal-transducing protein. Membranes from human and rat vascular smooth muscle cells were fractionated using Triton X-100 solubilization and density gradient centrifugation techniques. We demonstrate that T-cadherin is enriched in a minor detergent-insoluble low-density membrane domain and co-distributes with caveolin, a marker of caveolae. This domain was enriched in other GPI-anchored proteins (CD-59, uPA receptor) and signal-transducing molecules (G alpha s protein and Src-family kinases), but completely excluded cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion molecules (N-cadherin and beta1-integrin). Coupling of T-cadherin with signalling molecules within caveolae might enable cellular signal transduction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cadherins / metabolism*
  • Caveolin 1
  • Caveolins*
  • Cell Fractionation
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • CAV1 protein, human
  • Cadherins
  • Cav1 protein, rat
  • Caveolin 1
  • Caveolins
  • H-cadherin
  • Membrane Proteins