These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.
Pubmed for Handhelds
PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS
Search MEDLINE/PubMed
Title: Fibronectin and heparin binding domains of latent TGF-beta binding protein (LTBP)-4 mediate matrix targeting and cell adhesion. Author: Kantola AK, Keski-Oja J, Koli K. Journal: Exp Cell Res; 2008 Aug 01; 314(13):2488-500. PubMed ID: 18585707. Abstract: Latent transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta binding proteins are extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins involved in the regulation of TGF-beta sequestration and activation. In this study, we have identified binding domains in LTBP-4, which mediate matrix targeting and cell adhesion. LTBP-4 was found to possess heparin binding activity, especially in its N-terminal region. The C-terminal domain of LTBP-4 supported fibroblast adhesion, a property reduced by soluble heparin. In addition, we found that LTBP-4 binds directly to fibronectin (FN), which was indispensable for the matrix assembly of LTBP-4. The FN binding sites were also located in the N-terminal region. Interestingly, heparin was able to reduce the binding of LTBP-4 to FN. In fibroblast cultures, LTBP-4 colocalized first with FN and subsequently with fibrillin-1, pointing to a role for FN in the early assembly of LTBP-4. In FN -/- fibroblasts, LTBP-mediated ECM targeting was disturbed, resulting in increased TGF-beta activity. These results revealed new molecular interactions which are evidently important for the ECM targeting, but which also are evidence of novel functions for LTBP-4 as an adhesion molecule.[Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]