Aljaž Gaber (Author), Seung Joong Kim (Author), Robyn M. Kaake (Author), Mojca Benčina (Author), Nevan J. Krogan (Author), Andrej Šali (Author), Miha Pavšič (Author), Brigita Lenarčič (Author)

Abstract

Cell-surface tumor marker EpCAM plays a key role in proliferation, diferentiation and adhesion processes in stem and epithelial cells. It is established as a cell-cell adhesion molecule, forming intercellular interactions through homophilic association. However, the mechanism by which such interactions arise has not yet been fully elucidated. Here, we frst show that EpCAM monomers do not associate into oligomers that would resemble an inter-cellular homo-oligomer, capable of mediating cell-cell adhesion, by using SAXS, XL-MS and bead aggregation assays. Second, we also show that EpCAM forms stable dimers on the surface of a cell with pre-formed cell-cell contacts using FLIM-FRET; however, no inter-cellular homo-oligomers were detectable. Thus, our study provides clear evidence that EpCAM indeed does not function as a homophilic cell adhesion molecule and therefore calls for a signifcantrevision of its role in both normal and cancerous tissues. In the light of this, we strongly support the previously suggested name Epithelial Cell Activating Molecule instead of the Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule.

Keywords

epitelijska celična adhezijska molekula;celična adhezija;oligomerizacija;epithelial cell adhesion molecule;cell adhesion;oligomerization;

Data

Language: English
Year of publishing:
Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization: UL FKKT - Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
UDC: 577.112.85
COBISS: 1537878979 Link will open in a new window
ISSN: 2045-2322
Views: 325
Downloads: 125
Average score: 0 (0 votes)
Metadata: JSON JSON-RDF JSON-LD TURTLE N-TRIPLES XML RDFA MICRODATA DC-XML DC-RDF RDF

Other data

Secondary language: Slovenian
Secondary keywords: epitelijska celična adhezijska molekula;celična adhezija;oligomerizacija;
Type (COBISS): Article
Pages: str. 1-16
Issue: ǂVol. ǂ8
Chronology: 2018
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31482-7
ID: 12642527