Research Abstract Cadherins and integrins are key determinants of morphogenetic processes. Development of the stereotypical arrangement of tissues and organs during embryogenesis requires the coordinated action of many different and overlapping molecular mechanisms, which ensure that cellular rearrangements follow the correct temporal and spatial paths. Among the many cell surface molecules that orchestrate this intricate process, cadherins and integrins play decisive roles.
Many developmental events require rapid and integrated changes in adhesion molecule function.
The long term goal of our laboratory is to understand the molecular mechansims through which rapid changes in the function of adhesion molecules are effected. We have approached this problem by focusing on analysis of the protein-protein interactions among the complex of proteins that regulate function, and on the signals from out side the cell which regulate function. The dominant-negative form of the enzyme is targeted to the adhesion molecule complex displacing the normal enzyme. More recently, we have used mutant forms of the enzyme to characterize the residues essential to targeting the enzyme to the appropriate adhesion complex. These peptides mimic the specific regions of molecules which are essential for interaction and thus act as dominant-negatives inhibitors.