Syndecan-4 binding to the high affinity heparin-binding domain of fibronectin drives focal adhesion formation in fibroblasts.

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

Cell adhesion to extracellular matrix involves signaling mechanisms which control attachment, spreading and the formation of focal adhesions and stress fibers. Fibronectin can provide sufficient signals for all three processes, even when protein synthesis is prevented by cycloheximide. Primary fibroblasts attach and spread following integrin ligation, but do not form focal adhesions unless treated with a heparin-binding fragment of fibronectin (HepII), a peptide from this domain, or phorbol esters to activate protein kinase C. Syndecan-4 heparan sulfate proteoglycan is a transmembrane component present together with integrins in focal adhesions. Syndecan-4 binds and activates protein kinase Calpha, whose activity is needed for focal adhesion formation. We now report that the glycosaminoglycan chains of syndecan-4 bind recombinant HepII and it is incorporated into forming focal adhesions.
Original languageEnglish
JournalArchives of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Volume374
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)66-72
Number of pages6
ISSN0003-9861
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2000

Bibliographical note

Keywords: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Binding Sites; Binding, Competitive; Cell Adhesion; Cells, Cultured; Fibroblasts; Fibronectins; Heparin; Membrane Glycoproteins; Oligopeptides; Protein Binding; Proteoglycans; Rats; Syndecan-4; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

ID: 5163755