Recent research demonstrates that an evolutionarily conserved molecular code, present on cell surface adhesion molecules, is a critical regulator of cell motility. The prehistorical code identified by the researchers finally explains on the molecular level how cells can fine-tune their migration in response to different tissue determinants. This code which predates dinosaurs and life moving to dry land remains functional in our bodies even today.
Scientists from the research group led by Academy professor Johanna Ivaska from the University of Turku have identified a previously undescribed protein sequence in adhesion receptors called integrins which regulates cell motility in response to different connective tissue components.
For decades scientists have known that human cells must recycle their adhesion receptors to enable cell motility. However, the basis for specifically regulating this in different environmental conditions in the body has not been known. The identified code sequence explains the specificity of receptor turnover.
This research has been a collaboration with Structural Biologists from University or Cambridge, UK and Cell Biologists from Gustave Rossy -- Institute in Paris.
The projects stems from bioinformatics analyses performed by Graduate Student Nicola De Franceschi. He observed that integrins contain a previously unappreciated molecular code which governs cell motility.
These research findings have been published in online in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology -- journal Jan. 18, 2015.
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Reference:
Selective integrin endocytosis is driven by α chain:AP2 interactions
Nicola De Franceschi, Antti Arjonen, Nadia Elkhatib, Konstantin Denessiouk, Antoni G Wrobel, Thomas A Wilson, Jeroen Pouwels, Guillaume Montagnac, David J Owen and Johanna Ivaska DOI: 10.1038/nsmb.3161.
http://www.nature.com/nsmb/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nsmb.3161.html
For more Information:
Academy Professor Johanna Ivaska
02-333-7954-040-5020812
johanna.ivaska@utu.fi
University of Turku
Turku Centre for Biotechnology
Twitter @ivaskalab; @johannaivaska
Web pages: http://www.ivaskalab.com
Nature Structural & Molecular Biology