Abstract
Cell-cell adhesion mediated by specific cell-surface molecules is essential for multicellular development. Here we quantify de-adhesion forces at the resolution of individual cell-adhesion molecules, by controlling the interactions between single cells and combining single-molecule force spectroscopy with genetic manipulation. Our measurements are focused on a glycoprotein, contact site A (csA), as a prototype of cell-adhesion proteins. csA is expressed in aggregating cells of Dictyostelium discoideum, which are engaged in development of a multicellular organism. Adhesion between two adjacent cell surfaces involves discrete interactions characterized by an unbinding force of 23 +/- 8 pN, measured at a rupture rate of 2.5 +/- 0.5 microm s-1.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Binding Sites
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Calcium / pharmacology
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Cell Adhesion Molecules / chemistry
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Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics
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Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism*
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Cell Adhesion* / drug effects
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Cell Aggregation / drug effects
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Cell Division / drug effects
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Cell Membrane / drug effects
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Cell Membrane / metabolism
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Chelating Agents / pharmacology
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Dictyostelium / cytology*
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Dictyostelium / drug effects
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Dictyostelium / genetics
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Dictyostelium / metabolism
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Edetic Acid / pharmacology
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Gene Expression / genetics
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Kinetics
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Microscopy, Atomic Force / instrumentation*
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Microscopy, Atomic Force / methods
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Mutation / genetics
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Phospholipids / metabolism
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Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
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Protozoan Proteins / chemistry
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Protozoan Proteins / genetics
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Protozoan Proteins / metabolism
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / chemistry
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
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Spectrum Analysis / instrumentation*
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Spectrum Analysis / methods*
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Transfection
Substances
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Cell Adhesion Molecules
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Chelating Agents
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Phospholipids
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Protozoan Proteins
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins
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cell cohesion molecule, Dictyostelium
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Edetic Acid
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Calcium