Reduction in E-cadherin expression fosters migration of Xenopus laevis primordial germ cells. Issue 3 (24th February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baronsky, Thilo; Dzementsei, Aliaksandr; Oelkers, Marieelen; Melchert, Juliane; Pieler, Tomas; Janshoff, Andreas
• Is Part Of: Integrative biology. Volume 8:Issue 3(2016:Mar.)
• Page Start: 349
• Page End: 358
• Publication Date: 2016-02-24
• Subjects: Biology -- Periodicals; Technology -- Periodicals; Biological systems -- Periodicals; 570.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c5ib00291e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-9694

Abstract

Abstract : Migratory PGCs from Xenopus laevis display smaller adhesion forces in contact with E-cadherin coated surfaces. Abstract : The transition from passive to active migration of primordial germ cells in Xenopus embryos correlates with a reduction in overall adhesion to surrounding endodermal cells as well as with reduced E-cadherin expression. Single cell force spectroscopy, in which cells are brought into brief contact with a gold surface functionalized with E-cadherin constructs, allows for a quantitative estimate of functional E-cadherin molecules on the cell surface. The adhesion force between migratory PGCs and the cadherin-coated surface was almost identical to cells where E-cadherin was knocked down by morpholino oligonucleotides (180 pN). In contrast, non-migratory PGCs display significantly higher adhesion forces (270 pN) on E-cadherin functionalised surfaces. On the basis of these observations, we propose that migration of PGCs in Xenopus embryos is regulated via modulation of E-cadherin expression levels, allowing these cells to move more freely if the level of E-cadherin is reduced.