Spatially and temporally regulated α6 integrin cleavage during Xenopus laevis development
Date
2008Author
Demetriou, Manolis C.Stylianou, Panayiota
Andreou, Maria I.
Yiannikouri, Olga
Tsaprailis, George
Cress, Anne E.
Skourides, Paris A.
ISSN
0006-291XSource
Biochemical and biophysical research communicationsVolume
366Pages
779-785Google Scholar check
Keyword(s):
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The α6 integrin is essential for early nervous system development in Xenopus laevis. We have previously reported a uPA cleaved form of integrin α6 (α6p), in invasive human prostate cancer tissue, whose presence correlates with increased migration and invasive capacity. We now report that α6 is cleaved during the normal development of Xenopus in a spatially and temporally controlled manner. In addition, unlike normal mammalian tissues, which lack α6p, the major form of the α6 integrin present in adult Xenopus is α6p. The protease responsible for the cleavage in mammals, uPA, is not involved in the cleavage of Xenopus α6. Finally, overexpression of a mammalian α6 mutant which cannot be cleaved leads to developmental abnormalities suggesting a potential role for the cleavage in development. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.