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  • 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.
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