The ADAM-integrin-tetraspanin complex in fetal and postnatal testicular cords

New insights have emerged about the expression, during testicular cord formation, of the ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) domain family of proteins that combines both cell surface adhesion and proteolytic activity; this family includes integrins alpha3beta1 and alpha6beta1 and tetraspanins, a distinct family of proteins containing four transmembrane domains, a small and a large extracellular loop, and short cytoplasmic tails. ADAM3 (cyritestin), ADAM5, ADAM6, and ADAM15 are expressed in fetal rat testes. In contrast, the expression of the ADAM1/ADAM2 pair (fertilin alpha/fertilin beta, respectively) is not detected in fetal testis. Yet the expression of ADAM1 starts immediately after birth, and is followed within 24 hr by the expression of ADAM2. Therefore, the ADAM1/ADAM2 heterodimer is visualized far in advance of the meiotic and spermiogenic phase of spermatogenesis. A similar expression pattern was observed for integrin subunits alpha3, alpha6, and beta1, as well as for tetraspanins CD9, CD81, and CD98; the latter is a single-pass integrin subunit beta1-binding protein. ADAM2, integrin subunits alpha3, alpha6, and beta1, and tetraspanin CD9 and CD81 immunoreactive sites are observed in prespermatogonia (also known as primordial germ cells or gonocytes). A model is proposed in which the ADAM-integrin-tetraspanin complex, known to constitute a network of membrane microdomains called the tetraspanin web, may be involved in the migration of prespermatogonia from the center to the periphery of the testicular cords and in the reinitiation of mitotic activity during the initial wave of spermatogenesis. A complementary model consists in the rearrangement of the tetraspanin web in prespermatogonia/spermatogonia undergoing spontaneous or Fas-induced apoptosis upon coculturing with Sertoli cells. In this model, the cellular site involved in the formation of preapoptotic bodies is devoid of tetraspanin-integrin clusters, in contrast with nonapoptotic cells, which display a diffuse circumferential distribution. In apoptotic prespermatogonia, immunoreactive clusters are restricted to sites where the attachment of prespermatogonia/spermatogonia to Sertoli cell surfaces is still preserved.     

EWI-2 regulates alpha3beta1 integrin-dependent cell functions on laminin-5

EWI-2, a cell surface immunoglobulin SF protein of unknown function, associates with tetraspanins CD9 and CD81 with high stoichiometry. Overexpression of EWI-2 in A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells did not alter cell adhesion or spreading on laminin-5, and had no effect on reaggregation of cells plated on collagen I (alpha2beta1 integrin ligand). However, on laminin-5 (alpha3beta1 integrin ligand), A431 cell reaggregation and motility functions were markedly impaired. Immunodepletion and reexpression experiments revealed that tetraspanins CD9 and CD81 physically link EWI-2 to alpha3beta1 integrin, but not to other integrins. CD81 also controlled EWI-2 maturation and cell surface localization. EWI-2 overexpression not only suppressed cell migration, but also redirected CD81 to cell filopodia and enhanced alpha3beta1-CD81 complex formation. In contrast, an EWI-2 chimeric mutant failed to suppress cell migration, redirect CD81 to filopodia, or enhance alpha3beta1-CD81 complex formation. These results show how laterally associated EWI-2 might regulate alpha3beta1 function in disease and development, and demonstrate how tetraspanin proteins can assemble multiple nontetraspanin proteins into functional complexes.     

An extracellular site on tetraspanin CD151 determines alpha 3 and alpha 6 integrin-dependent cellular morphology

The alpha 3 beta 1 integrin shows strong, stoichiometric, direct lateral association with the tetraspanin CD151. As shown here, an extracellular CD151 site (QRD(194-196)) is required for strong (i.e., Triton X-100-resistant) alpha 3 beta 1 association and for maintenance of a key CD151 epitope (defined by monoclonal antibody TS151r) that is blocked upon alpha 3 integrin association. Strong CD151 association with integrin alpha 6 beta 1 also required the QRD(194-196) site and masked the TS151r epitope. For both alpha 3 and alpha 6 integrins, strong QRD/TS151r-dependent CD151 association occurred early in biosynthesis and involved alpha subunit precursor forms. In contrast, weaker associations of CD151 with itself, integrins, or other tetraspanins (Triton X-100-sensitive but Brij 96-resistant) were independent of the QRD/TS151r site, occurred late in biosynthesis, and involved mature integrin subunits. Presence of the CD151-QRD(194-196)-->INF mutant disrupted alpha 3 and alpha 6 integrin-dependent formation of a network of cellular cables by Cos7 or NIH3T3 cells on basement membrane Matrigel and markedly altered cell spreading. These results provide definitive evidence that strong lateral CD151-integrin association is functionally important, identify CD151 as a key player during alpha 3 and alpha 6 integrin-dependent matrix remodeling and cell spreading, and support a model of CD151 as a transmembrane linker between extracellular integrin domains and intracellular cytoskeleton/signaling molecules.     

Tetraspanin CD151 regulates glycosylation of (alpha)3(beta)1 integrin

The tetraspanin CD151 forms a stoichiometric complex with integrin alpha3beta1 and regulates its endocytosis. We observed that down-regulation of CD151 in various epithelial cell lines changed glycosylation of alpha3beta1. In contrast, glycosylation of other transmembrane proteins, including those associated with CD151 (e.g. alpha6beta1, CD82, CD63, and emmprin/CD147) was not affected. The detailed analysis has shown that depletion of CD151 resulted in the reduction of Fucalpha1-2Gal and bisecting GlcNAc-beta(1-->4) linkage on N-glycans of the alpha3 integrin subunit. The modulatory activity of CD151 toward alpha3beta1 was specific, because stable knockdown of three other tetraspanins (i.e. CD9, CD63, and CD81) did not affect glycosylation of the integrin. Analysis of alpha3 glycosylation in CD151-depleted breast cancer cells with reconstituted expression of various CD151 mutants has shown that a direct contact with integrin is required but not sufficient for the modulatory activity of the tetraspanin toward alpha3beta1. We also found that glycosylation of CD151 is also critical; Asn(159) --> Gln mutation in the large extracellular loop did not affect interactions of CD151 with other tetraspanins or alpha3beta1 but negated its modulatory function. Changes in the glycosylation pattern of alpha3beta1 observed in CD151-depleted cells correlated with a dramatic decrease in cell migration toward laminin-332. Migration toward fibronectin or static adhesion of cells to extracellular matrix ligands was not affected. Importantly, reconstituted expression of the wild-type CD151 but not glycosylation-deficient mutant restored the migratory potential of the cells. These results demonstrate that CD151 plays an important role in post-translation modification of alpha3beta1 integrin and strongly suggest that changes in integrin glycosylation are critical for the promigratory activity of this tetraspanin.     

Hierarchy of ADAM12 binding to integrins in tumor cells

ADAMs (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) comprise a family of cell surface proteins with protease and cell-binding activities. Using different forms and fragments of ADAM12 as substrates in cell adhesion and spreading assays, we demonstrated that alpha9beta1 integrin is the main receptor for ADAM12. However, when alpha9beta1 integrin is not expressed--as in many carcinoma cells--other members of the beta1 integrin family can replace its ligand binding activity. In attachment assays, the recombinant disintegrin domain of ADAM12 only supported alpha9 integrin-dependent tumor cell attachment, whereas full-length ADAM12 supported attachment via alpha9 integrin and other integrin receptors. Cells that attached to full-length ADAM12 in an alpha9 integrin-dependent manner also attached to ADAM12 in which the putative alpha9beta1 integrin-binding motif in the disintegrin domain had been mutated. This attachment was mediated through use of an alternate beta1 integrin. We also found that cell spreading in response to ADAM12 is dependent on the apparent level of integrin activation. Binding of cells to ADAM12 via the alpha9beta1 integrin was Mn(2+)-independent and resulted in attachment of cells with a rounded morphology; attachment of cells with a spread morphology required further activation of the alpha9beta1 integrin. We demonstrated that phosphoinositide-3-kinase appears to be central in regulating alpha9beta1 integrin cell spreading activity in response to ADAM12.     

The molecular players of sperm-egg fusion in mammals

Fertilization includes a series of cellular interactions culminating with the fusion of gamete membranes, creating a zygote. Two ADAM proteins present on sperm, fertilin beta and cyritestin, drew much attention. However, gene deletion in mice showed that fusion can happen in their absence. The presence of the integrin alpha6beta1 on egg, a putative fertilin beta receptor, is also dispensable. In contrast, sperm lacking Izumo, a molecule with a single Ig domain, are unable to fuse. On the egg side, a role for GPI-anchored molecules has been shown, and in mice lacking both tetraspanins CD9 and CD81 fertilization is completely blocked.     

Palmitoylation supports assembly and function of integrin-tetraspanin complexes

As observed previously, tetraspanin palmitoylation promotes tetraspanin microdomain assembly. Here, we show that palmitoylated integrins (alpha3, alpha6, and beta4 subunits) and tetraspanins (CD9, CD81, and CD63) coexist in substantially overlapping complexes. Removal of beta4 palmitoylation sites markedly impaired cell spreading and signaling through p130Cas on laminin substrate. Also in palmitoylation-deficient beta4, secondary associations with tetraspanins (CD9, CD81, and CD63) were diminished and cell surface CD9 clustering was decreased, whereas core alpha6beta4-CD151 complex formation was unaltered. There is also a functional connection between CD9 and beta4 integrins, as evidenced by anti-CD9 antibody effects on beta4-dependent cell spreading. Notably, beta4 palmitoylation neither increased localization into "light membrane" fractions of sucrose gradients nor decreased solubility in nonionic detergents-hence it does not promote lipid raft association. Instead, palmitoylation of beta4 (and of the closely associated tetraspanin CD151) promotes CD151-alpha6beta4 incorporation into a network of secondary tetraspanin interactions (with CD9, CD81, CD63, etc.), which provides a novel framework for functional regulation.     

Immunolocalization of inhibin and activin alpha and betaB subunits and expression of corresponding messenger RNAs in the human adult testis

Inhibin B is a testicular peptide hormone that regulates FSH secretion in a negative feedback loop. Inhibin B is a dimer of an alpha and a beta(B) subunit. In adult testes, the cellular site of production is still controversial, and it was hypothesized that germ cells contribute to inhibin B production. To determine which cell types in the testes may produce inhibin B, the immunohistochemical localization of the two subunits of inhibin B were examined in adult testicular biopsies with normal spermatogenesis, spermatogenic arrest, or Sertoli cell only (SCO) tubules. Moreover, using in situ hybridization with mRNA probes, the mRNA expression patterns of inhibin alpha and inhibin/activin beta(B) subunits have been investigated. In all testes, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells showed positive immunostaining for inhibin alpha subunit and expressed inhibin alpha subunit mRNA. Using inhibin beta(B) subunit immunoserum on testes with normal spermatogenesis and with spermatogenic arrest, intense labeling was located in germ cells from pachytene spermatocytes to round spermatids but not in Sertoli cells. Inhibin beta(B) subunit mRNA expression was intense in germ cells from spermatogonia to round spermatids and in Sertoli cells in these testes. In testes with SCO, high inhibin beta(B) subunit mRNA labeling density was observed in both Sertoli cells and Leydig cells, whereas beta(B) subunit immunostaining was negative for Sertoli cells and faintly positive for Leydig cells. These results agree with the recent opinion that inhibin B in adult men is possibly a joint product of Sertoli cells and germ cells.     

Specific integrin subunits in bovine oocytes, including novel sequences for alpha 6 and beta 3 subunits

Integrins facilitate attachment of cells to the extra-cellular matrix, often binding the arginine-glycine-aspartic acid tri-peptide motif, thus facilitating cell migration, mediating cell-cell adhesion, linking the extracellular matrix (ECM) with cytoskeletal elements, and acting as signaling molecules. Adhesion activates signaling mechanisms that regulate integrin function, cytoskeletal assembly, cell behavior, and protein synthesis. Immunofluorescence was used to determine the presence of integrin alpha and beta subunits on the surface of bovine oocytes using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for alphaL, alphaM, alphaX, alphaV, alpha2, alpha4, alpha6, beta1, beta2, and beta3 antigens, with multiple antibodies for each subunit. Confocal microscopy indicated the presence of alphaV, alpha6, alpha4, alpha2, ss1, and ss3 integrin subunits on the plasma membrane of bovine oocytes. The presence of these subunits was verified by RT-PCR analysis using primers designed based on known gene sequences of bovine integrin subunits, or by using sequence information using bovine expressed sequence tags (EST) compared with known human and murine integrin subunit gene sequence information. Previously unpublished sequence information for bovine alpha6 and beta3 integrins was determined. The presence of these integrin subunits on the bovine oocyte vitelline membrane supports the hypothesis that sperm-oocyte interactions in the bovine are mediated by integrins.     

Expression of the palmitoylation-deficient CD151 weakens the association of alpha 3 beta 1 integrin with the tetraspanin-enriched microdomains and affects integrin-dependent signaling

Transmembrane proteins of the tetraspanin superfamily are assembled in multimeric complexes on the cell surface. Spatial orientation of tetraspanins within these complexes may affect signaling functions of the associated transmembrane receptors (e.g. integrins, receptor-type tyrosine kinases). The structural determinants that control assembly of the tetraspanin complexes are unknown. We have found that various tetraspanins and the alpha(3) integrin subunit are palmitoylated. The stability and molecular composition of the palmitoylated alpha(3)beta(1)-tetraspanin complexes are not affected by adhesion. To assess the significance of palmitoylation in the function of the alpha(3)beta(1)-tetraspanin complexes we mapped the sites of palmitoylation for CD151. Mutation of six cysteines, Cys(11), Cys(15), Cys(79), Cys(80), Cys(242), and Cys(243) was necessary to completely abolish palmitoylation of CD151. The association of the palmitoylation-deficient mutant of CD151 (CD151Cys8) with CD81 and CD63 was markedly decreased, but the interaction of the alpha(3)beta(1)-CD151Cys8 complex with phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase was not affected. Ectopic expression of CD151Cys8 in Rat-1 cells impaired the interactions of the endogenous CD63 and CD81 with the alpha(3)beta(1) integrin. Although the expression of the palmitoylation-deficient CD151 does not change cell spreading on the extracellular matrix, the number of focal adhesions increased. Adhesion-induced phosphorylation of PKB/c-Akt is markedly increased in cells expressing a palmitoylation-deficient mutant, thereby providing direct evidence for the role of the tetraspanin microdomains in regulation of the integrin-dependent phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway. In contrast, activation of FAK and ERK1/2 were not affected by the expression of CD151Cys8. Our results demonstrate that palmitoylation of tetraspanins is critical not only for the organization of the integrin-tetraspanin microdomains but also has a specific role in modulation of adhesion-dependent signaling.     

A novel vitronectin receptor integrin (alpha v beta x) is responsible for distinct adhesive properties of carcinoma cells

Carcinoma cells express a novel integrin involved in cell adhesion to vitronectin, but not to fibrinogen or von Willebrand factor, whereas melanoma and endothelial cells express a vitronectin receptor (alpha v beta 3) that promotes cell attachment to all of these matrix components. The integrin responsible for this adhesive phenotype of carcinoma cells is composed of an alpha subunit that is indistinguishable from the alpha v of the vitronectin receptor and a beta subunit (beta x) that is distinct from any known integrin beta subunit. Accordingly, Northern blot analysis identifies an mRNA for alpha v, but not for beta 3 in carcinoma cells. This receptor appears to mediate cell adhesion to vitronectin as well as fibronectin since an antibody directed to its alpha subunit blocked carcinoma cell adhesion to both of these matrix proteins. These results suggest that homologous integrins with identical alpha subunits and structurally distinct beta subunits can account for the functional recognition of different matrixes by two cell types.     

The alpha 1/beta 1 and alpha 6/beta 1 integrin heterodimers mediate cell attachment to distinct sites on laminin

This study was undertaken to determine the roles of individual alpha/beta 1 integrin heterodimers in promoting cellular interactions with the different attachment-promoting domains of laminin (LN). To do this, antibodies to the integrin beta 1 subunit or to specific integrin alpha subunits were tested for effects on cell attachment to LN, to elastase fragments E1-4 and E1, derived from the short arms and core of LN's cruciform structure, and to fragment E8 derived from the long arm of this structure. The human JAR choriocarcinoma cells used in this study attached to LN and to fragments E1 and E8. Attachment to E1-4 required a much higher substrate coating concentration, suggesting that it is a poor substrate for JAR cell attachment. The ability of cells to attach to different LN domains suggested the presence of more than one LN receptor. These multiple LN receptors were shown to be beta 1 integrin heterodimers because antibodies to the integrin beta 1 subunit inhibited attachment of JAR cells to LN and its three fragments. To identify the individual integrin alpha/beta 1 heterodimers that mediate interactions with these LN domains, mAbs specific for individual beta 1 heterodimers in human cells were used to study JAR cell interactions with LN and its fragments. An anti-alpha 6/beta 1-specific mAb, GoH3, virtually eliminated cell attachment to E8 and partially inhibited attachment to E1 and intact LN. Thus the major alpha 6/beta 1 attachment domain is present in fragment E8. An alpha 1/beta 1-specific mAb (S2G3) strongly inhibited cell attachment to collagen IV and partially inhibited JAR attachment to LN fragment E1. Thus, the alpha 1/beta 1 heterodimer is a dual receptor for collagen IV and LN, interacting with LN at a site in fragment E1. In combination, the anti-alpha 1- and anti-alpha 6-specific antibodies completely inhibited JAR cell attachment to LN and fragment E1. Thus, the alpha 1/beta 1 and alpha 6/beta 1 integrin heterodimers each function as LN receptors and act together to mediate the interactions of human JAR choriocarcinoma cells with LN.     

Fertilin beta and other ADAMs as integrin ligands: insights into cell adhesion and fertilization.

One of the most important cell-cell interactions is that of the sperm with the egg. This interaction, which begins with cell adhesion and culminates with membrane fusion, is mediated by multiple molecules on the gametes. One of the best-characterized of these molecules is fertilin beta, a ligand on mammalian sperm and one of the first ADAMs (A Disintegrin and A Metalloprotease domain) to be identified. Fertilin beta (also known as ADAM2) participates in sperm-egg membrane binding, and it has long been hypothesized that this function is achieved through the interaction of the disintegrin domain of fertilin beta with an integrin on the egg surface. There are now approximately 30 members of the ADAM family and, to date, five different ADAMs (fertilin beta, ADAM9, ADAM12, ADAM15, ADAM23) have been described to interact with integrins (specifically alpha(6)beta(1), alpha(v)beta(3), alpha(9)beta(1), alpha(v)beta(5), and/or alpha(5)beta(1)). This field will be discussed with respect to what is known about specific ADAMs and the integrins with which they interact, and what the implications are for sperm-egg interactions and for integrin function. These data will also be discussed in the context of recent knockout studies, which show that eggs lacking the alpha(6) integrin subunit can be fertilized, and eggs lacking the integrin-associated tetraspanin protein CD9 fail to fertilize. Key issues in cell adhesion that pertain to gametes and fertilization will also be highlighted.     

Endothelial cells use alpha 2 beta 1 integrin as a laminin receptor

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells attach and spread on laminin-coated substrates. Affinity chromatography was used to identify the attachment receptor. Fractionation of extracts from surface-iodinated endothelial cells on human laminin-Sepharose yielded a heterodimeric complex, the subunits of which migrated with molecular sizes corresponding to 160/120 kD and 160/140 kD under nonreducing and reducing conditions, respectively. The purified receptor bound to laminin and slightly less to fibronectin and type IV collagen in a radioreceptor assay. This endothelial cell laminin receptor was classified as an alpha 2 beta 1 integrin because monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies directed against the alpha 2 and bet 1 subunits immunoprecipitated the receptor. Cytofluorometric analysis and immunoprecipitation showed that the alpha 2 subunit is an abundant integrin alpha subunit in the endothelial cells and that the alpha subunits associated with laminin binding in other types of cells are expressed in these cells only at low levels. The alpha 2 beta 1 integrin appears to be a major receptor for laminin in the endothelial cells, because an anti-alpha 2 monoclonal antibody inhibited the attachment of the endothelial cells to human laminin. These results define a new role for the alpha 2 subunit in laminin binding and suggest that the ligand specificity of the alpha 2 beta 1 integrin, which is known as a collagen receptor in other types of cells, can be modulated by cell type-specific factors to include laminin binding.     

BAP31 and its caspase cleavage product regulate cell surface expression of tetraspanins and integrin-mediated cell survival

BAP31, a resident integral protein of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, regulates the export of other integral membrane proteins to the downstream secretory pathway. Here we show that cell surface expression of the tetraspanins CD9 and CD81 is compromised in mouse cells from which the Bap31 gene has been deleted. CD9 and CD81 facilitate the function of multiprotein complexes at the plasma membrane, including integrins. Of note, BAP31 does not appear to influence the egress of alpha5beta1 or alpha(v)beta3 integrins to the cell surface, but in Bap31-null mouse cells, these integrins are not able to maintain cellular adhesion to the extracellular matrix in the presence of reduced serum. Consequently, Bap31-null cells are sensitive to serum starvation-induced apoptosis. Reconstitution of wild-type BAP31 into these Bap31-null cells restores integrin-mediated cell attachment and cell survival after serum stress, whereas interference with the functions of CD9, alpha5beta1, or alpha(v)beta3 by antagonizing antibodies makes BAP31 cells act similar to Bap31-null cells in these respects. Finally, in human KB epithelial cells protected from apoptosis by BCL-2, the caspase-8 cleavage product, p20 BAP31, inhibits egress of tetraspanin and integrin-mediated cell attachment. Thus, p20 BAP31 can operate upstream of BCL-2 in living cells to influence cell surface properties due to its effects on protein egress from the endoplasmic reticulum.     

Tetraspanin CD82 attenuates cellular morphogenesis through down-regulating integrin alpha6-mediated cell adhesion

Tetraspanin CD82 has been implicated in integrin-mediated functions such as cell motility and invasiveness. Although tetraspanins associate with integrins, it is unknown if and how CD82 regulates the functionality of integrins. In this study, we found that Du145 prostate cancer cells underwent morphogenesis on the reconstituted basement membrane Matrigel to form an anastomosing network of multicellular structures. This process entirely depends on integrin alpha6, a receptor for laminin. After CD82 is expressed in Du145 cells, this cellular morphogenesis was abolished, indicating a functional cross-talk between CD82 and alpha6 integrins. Interestingly, antibodies against other tetraspanins expressed in Du145 cells such as CD9, CD81, and CD151 did not block this integrin alpha6-dependent morphogenesis. We further found that CD82 significantly inhibited cell adhesion on laminin 1. Notably, the level of alpha6 integrins on the cell surface was down-regulated upon CD82 expression, although total cellular alpha6 protein levels remained unchanged in CD82-expressing cells. This down-regulation indicates that the diminished cell adhesiveness of CD82-expressing Du145 cells on laminin likely resulted from less cell surface expression of alpha6 integrins. As expected, CD82 physically associated with the integrin alpha6 in Du145-CD82 transfectant cells, suggesting that the formation of the CD82-integrin alpha6 complex reduces alpha6 integrin cell surface expression. Finally, the internalization of cell surface integrin alpha6 is significantly enhanced upon CD82 expression. In conclusion, our results indicate that 1) CD82 attenuates integrin alpha6 signaling during a cellular morphogenic process; 2) the decreased surface expression of alpha6 integrins in CD82-expressing cells is likely responsible for the diminished adhesiveness on laminin and, subsequently, results in the attenuation of alpha6 integrin-mediated cellular morphogenesis; and 3) the accelerated internalization of integrin alpha6 upon CD82 expression correlates with the down-regulation of cell surface integrin alpha6.     

The tetraspan molecule CD151, a novel constituent of hemidesmosomes, associates with the integrin alpha6beta4 and may regulate the spatial organization of hemidesmosomes

CD151 is a cell surface protein that belongs to the tetraspan superfamily. It associates with other tetraspan molecules and certain integrins to form large complexes at the cell surface. CD151 is expressed by a variety of epithelia and mesenchymal cells. We demonstrate here that in human skin CD151 is codistributed with alpha3beta1 and alpha6beta4 at the basolateral surface of basal keratinocytes. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that CD151 is concentrated in hemidesmosomes. By immunoprecipitation from transfected K562 cells, we established that CD151 associates with alpha3beta1 and alpha6beta4. In beta4-deficient pyloric atresia associated with junctional epidermolysis bullosa (PA-JEB) keratinocytes, CD151 and alpha3beta1 are clustered together at the basal cell surface in association with patches of laminin-5. Focal adhesions are present at the periphery of these clusters, connected with actin filaments, and they contain both CD151 and alpha3beta1. Transient transfection studies of PA-JEB cells with beta4 revealed that the integrin alpha6beta4 becomes incorporated into the alpha3beta1-CD151 clusters where it induces the formation of hemidesmosomes. As a result, the amount of alpha3beta1 in the clusters diminishes and the protein becomes restricted to the peripheral focal adhesions. Furthermore, CD151 becomes predominantly associated with alpha6beta4 in hemidesmosomes, whereas its codistribution with alpha3beta1 in focal adhesions becomes partial. The localization of alpha6beta4 in the pre-hemidesmosomal clusters is accompanied by a strong upregulation of CD151, which is at least partly due to increased cell surface expression. Using beta4 chimeras containing the extracellular and transmembrane domain of the IL-2 receptor and the cytoplasmic domain of beta4, we found that for recruitment of CD151 into hemidesmosomes, the beta4 subunit must be associated with alpha6, confirming that integrins associate with tetraspans via their alpha subunits. CD151 is the only tetraspan identified in hemidesmosomal structures. Others, such as CD9 and CD81, remain diffusely distributed at the cell surface.In conclusion, we show that CD151 is a major component of (pre)-hemidesmosomal structures and that its recruitment into hemidesmosomes is regulated by the integrin alpha6beta4. We suggest that CD151 plays a role in the formation and stability of hemidesmosomes by providing a framework for the spatial organization of the different hemidesmosomal components.     

Characterization of integrin-tetraspanin adhesion complexes: role of tetraspanins in integrin signaling.

Tetraspanins (or proteins from the transmembrane 4 superfamily, TM4SF) form membrane complexes with integrin receptors and are implicated in integrin-mediated cell migration. Here we characterized cellular localization, structural composition, and signaling properties of alpha3beta1-TM4SF adhesion complexes. Double-immunofluorescence staining showed that various TM4SF proteins, including CD9, CD63, CD81, CD82, and CD151 are colocalized within dot-like structures that are particularly abundant at the cell periphery. Differential extraction in conjunction with chemical cross-linking indicated that the cell surface fraction of alpha3beta1-TM4SF protein complexes may not be directly linked to the cytoskeleton. However, in cells treated with cytochalasin B alpha3beta1-TM4SF protein complexes are relocated into intracellular vesicles suggesting that actin cytoskeleton plays an important role in the distribution of tetraspanins into adhesion structures. Talin and MARCKS are partially codistributed with TM4SF proteins, whereas vinculin is not detected within the tetraspanin-containing adhesion structures. Attachment of serum-starved cells to the immobilized anti-TM4SF mAbs induced dephosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). On the other hand, clustering of tetraspanins in cells attached to collagen enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK. Furthermore, ectopic expression of CD9 in fibrosarcoma cells affected adhesion-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK, that correlated with the reorganization of the cortical actin cytoskeleton. These results show that tetraspanins can modulate integrin signaling, and point to a mechanism by which TM4SF proteins regulate cell motility.     

Genetic analysis of integrin function in man: LAD-1 and other syndromes.

The integrins are cell membrane receptors composed of alpha and beta subunits which orchestrate adhesive events in all tissues of the body (Hynes, R.O., 1992. Integrins: versatility, modulation, and signalling in cell adhesion. Cell 69, 11-25; and Hynes, R.O., 1999. Cell adhesion: old and new questions. Trends Cell Biol. 9, M33-37). At present 18 alpha subunits and 8 beta subunits have been identified which are loosely organised into families. There are three inherited autosomal recessive diseases in man which involve germline mutations in genes coding for integrins. Leukocyte adhesion deficiency-1 (LAD-1) is the result of mutations in the beta2 subunit of the CD11/CD18 integrins, LFA-1, Mac-1, p150,95 and alphadbeta2. The bleeding disorder Glanzmann thrombasthenia is caused by mutations in either the alpha or beta subunit of the platelet integrin, alphaIIbbeta3. Thirdly, it is now recognised than one of the variants of the usually lethal skin blistering disorder, epidermolysis bullosa (JEB-PA), is caused by mutation in either the alpha or beta subunit of the epithelial hemidesmosome integrin, alpha6beta4. Many of the mutations cause defective alphabeta heterodimer formation. The majority of the beta subunit mutations are in the conserved N-terminal region known as the betaI domain. It is suggested that this region participates in alphabeta heterodimer formation.