Role of endoproteolytic processing in the adhesive and signaling functions of α(v)β5 integrin*

Abstract

Some integrin α subunits undergo a post-translational cleavage in their extracellular domain. However, the role of this cleavage in integrin function is unclear. Enzymes involved in this maturation belong to the subtilisin-like endoprotease family (convertases). To understand the role of the α subunit cleavage in integrin function, we have designed stable transfectants (PDX39P cells) expressing α1-PDX, a convertase inhibitor. Immunoprecipitation of cell surface proteins from PDX39P showed that α3, α6 and α(v) integrins lack endoproteolytic cleavage. We have compared adhesion between PDX39P cells and mock-transfected cells on different extracellular matrix proteins. No difference in adhesion could be observed on laminin-1 and type I collagen, while attachment of PDX39P cells to vitronectin (ligand of the α(v)β5 integrin) was dramatically reduced. The reduced adhesion of PDX39P cells was not due to changes in integrin affinity as determined by solid-phase receptor assay in a cell-free environment. Intracellular signaling pathways activated by α(v) integrin ligation were also affected in PDX39P cells. It thus seems that the absence of endoproteolytic cleavage of α(v) integrins has important consequences on signal transduction pathways leading to alterations in integrin function such as cell adhesion.