Genetic analysis of the cell binding domain region of the chicken fibronectin gene

Cross-talk between the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis and membrane integrins to regulate cell physiology

The biology of cross-talk between activated growth factor receptors and cell-surface integrins is an area which has attracted much interest in recent years (Schwartz and Ginsberg, 2002). This review discusses the relationship between the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis and cell-surface integrin receptors in the regulation of various aspects of cell physiology. Key to these interactions are signals transmitted between integrins and the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) when either or both are bound to their cognate ligands and we will review the current state of knowledge in this area. The IGF axis comprises many molecular components and we will also discuss the potential role of these species in cross-talk with the integrin receptor. With respect to integrin ligands, we will mainly focus on the well-characterized interactions of the two extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoproteins fibronectin (FN) and vitronectin (VN) with cell-surface ligands, and, how this affects activity through the IGF axis. However, we will also highlight the importance of other integrin activation mechanisms and their impact on IGF activity.

A highly conserved region upstream of the fibronectin alternative exon EIIIA 3' splice site interacts with cell-type-specific nuclear proteins

Sequencing of chicken fibronectin genomic DNA and interspecies sequence comparisons reveal a highly conserved region upstream of the alternatively spliced exon EIIIA. UV-crosslinking of RNAs corresponding to this region from the chicken and rat genes with HeLa nuclear extract demonstrates that both RNAs interact with similar proteins. However, both RNAs crosslink to a 70 kDa protein present in nuclear extracts from cells and tissues that include exon EIIIA, but not in extracts from tissues that exclude the exon. This protein represents a candidate cell-type-specific factor involved in exon EIIIA inclusion.

The exon encoding the fibronectin type III-9 repeat is constitutively included in the mRNA from chick limb mesenchyme and cartilage

The fibronectin monomer is comprised of three types of homologous repeating units, the types I, II, and III elements. Each type III repeat is encoded by two exons except for the two type III repeats involved in alternative splicing (IIIB and IIIA) and the type III-9 repeat which are all encoded by one exon. The fact that the type III-9 repeat is the only other type III repeat encoded by one exon has led to speculation that this exon may also be alternatively spliced. However, no evidence exists for alternative splicing of this exon in any tissues examined to date. The recent localization of a cell adhesion synergy site within the type III-9 repeat increases the likelihood of functional ramifications if the exon encoding this repeat is alternatively spliced in specific cells or tissues. We have shown previously that chick cartilage contains an unusual fibronectin mRNA splicing pattern and that the pattern changes during chondrogenesis from B+A+V+ to B+A-V+. In order to completely characterize the fibronectin mRNA in cartilage and other mesenchymal tissues for all possible alternative splicing events, we have determined whether or not the exon encoding the type III-9 repeat is alternatively spliced in these tissues. RNase protection and RT/PCR assays indicate that the fibronectin mRNA in all of these tissues, including cartilage, contains the type III-9 repeat as a constitutively included exon. Thus the exon encoding the type III-9 repeat will serve as a useful control exon for examining the regulation of tissue-specific alternative splicing during chondrogenesis.

An attempt to substitute the cell binding domain of human fibronectin in lambda phage J protein: computer design and expression

We superimposed hydropathic indexes of the human fibronectin cell binding domain (CBD) on the lambda phage J protein by computer, and substituted 22 amino acids from the fibronectin CBD for a part of the lambda phage J protein. The fibronectin cell binding domain -Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser- (-RGDS-) localizes at the junction of hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity. We selected a similar hydrophobic-to-hydrophilic junction in the J protein region for substitution. This junction corresponds to 150 bp of the PstI fragment of J protein cDNA. We synthesized 150 bp of the relevant PstI fragment that includes the cell binding domain region. The region was then constructed by serial cloning as an expression vector, pJCBD. The vector pJCBD expressed the fused protein named JCBD (M(r) 32 kDa) in E coli XL1-BLUE. The expressed JCBD protein was identified by Western blot analysis in the extract of the pJCBD carrying bacterial lysate using both rabbit anti-lambda phage antiserum and anti-CBD of fibronectin antibody. The JCBD protein appeared to recognize retinoblast cell membrane RGDS-directed receptors, detected by enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay and also by binding competition assay with synthetic pentapeptides, Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (GRGDS) and Gly-Arg-Gly-Glu-Ser (GRGES). The former competitor inhibited completely fibronectin CBD-dependent binding activity of JCBD, the latter had no inhibitory activity. These results suggest that certain functional proteins engineered by computer design between human fibronectin cell binding domain and lambda phage J protein can be produced.

Synthesis of undulin by rat liver fat-storing cells: comparison with fibronectin and tenascin

Fat-storing cells (FSCs) are known to synthesize various components of the hepatic extracellular matrix and thereby play an important role during liver fibrogenesis. The aim of our study was to investigate the synthesis of undulin, a recently described connective tissue protein belonging to the fibronectin-tenascin superfamily of glycoproteins, by fat-storing cells in primary culture. SDS-PAGE analysis of immunoprecipitates from cell layer lysates or media pulse-labeled with radioactive methionine revealed undulin-specific bands A (270 kDa), B1 (190 kDa), and B2 (180 kDa) after reduction. A single undulin-specific transcript was detected at about 7 kb. Undulin synthesized by cell-free translation revealed two polypeptides migrating about 5000 Da below the B1 and B2 subunits. Treatment of FSCs with tunicamycin created two novel bands slightly below the B2 chain. Since the electrophoretic patterns of undulin chains recovered by cell-free translation and tunicamycin treatment of cells were very similar we suggest that N-glycosylation is the major post-translational processing event. Newly synthesized undulin was detected after 30 min of pulse labeling in the cell layer fraction and was secreted into the medium at a slower rate than fibronectin. In contrast to fibronectin and tenascin, undulin was already synthesized by freshly isolated FSCs and during the early stage of primary FSC culture ("resting" cells), supporting the hypothesis that undulin is associated with a differentiated mesenchyma. However, in analogy to fibronectin and tenascin, undulin was also synthesized by "activated" FSCs, indicating that undulin might also be of importance in dedifferentiated tissues.

Structure of the human hexabrachion (tenascin) gene

The structure of the gene encoding human hexabrachion (tenascin) has been determined from overlapping clones isolated from a human genomic bacteriophage library. The genomic inserts were characterized by restriction mapping, Southern blot analysis, PCR, and DNA sequencing. The coding region of the hexabrachion gene spans approximately 80 kilobases of DNA and consists of 27 exons separated by 26 introns. The exon-intron structure supports a hypothesis based on the cDNA sequence that the hexabrachion gene is an assembly of DNA modules that are also found elsewhere in the genome. Single exons may encode a module, a portion of a module, or a group of modules. The 15 type III units similar to those found in fibronectin are each encoded either by a single exon or by two exons interrupted by an intron. All type III units known to be spliced out of the smaller forms of the protein are encoded by one exon. The fibrinogen-like domain of 210 amino acids is encoded by five exons. The 14.5 epidermal growth factor-like repeats are all encoded by a single exon.

In vitro splicing of fibronectin pre-mRNAs

We have investigated the alternative splicing of the EIIIB exon of the rat fibronectin gene. Mini-gene constructs containing this exon and portions of adjacent introns and exons, when transfected into HeLa cells, are transcribed and spliced, but omit the EIIIB exon. In vitro, HeLa nuclear extracts similarly splice out (skip) the EIIIB exon from similarly structured transcripts. Therefore, the HeLa splicing apparatus recognizes as atypical the EIIIB exon and its flanking intron sequences, both in vivo and in vitro. We also report that alterations in the ionic conditions of the in vitro splicing reaction can promote the initiation of EIIIB exon inclusion, as reflected by the formation of intermediate and product RNAs related to the removal of the intron upstream of EIIIB. Processing of this intron correlates with the formation of complexes resembling intermediates in spliceosome assembly. The branch sites involved in this alternative processing pathway are rather distant from the EIIIB 3' splice site, and lie within a region which is well conserved in the fibronectin genes of other species. Thus, the intron upstream of EIIIB shows singular structure and behavior which probably have a bearing on the regulated alternative splicing of this exon.

Two contrary functions of tenascin: dissection of the active sites by recombinant tenascin fragments

A structural and functional model of tenascin was elaborated using recombinant parts of three alternatively spliced tenascin variants and anti-tenascin monoclonal antibodies. The fusion proteins were compared with intact tenascin for their functions and by electron microscopy. A strong cell binding site was localized within 104 amino acids. This fragment also contains the epitope of the monoclonal antibody anti-Tn68, which inhibits cell attachment to tenascin and binds near the tips of the six arms of tenascin. In contrast, constructs containing the 13 1/2 EGF-like repeats of tenascin showed an antiadhesive effect. The coexistence of the two contrary signals on the same molecule might be responsible for the versatile features of tenascin.