The Basic Framework of VE-cadherin Junctions Revealed by Cryo-EM

• Published in: Journal of molecular biology Vol. 346; no. 5; pp. 1193 - 1196
• Main Authors: Lambert, Olivier, Taveau, Jean-Christophe, Lai Kee Him, Joséphine, Al Kurdi, Rana, Gulino-Debrac, Danielle, Brisson, Alain
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 11.03.2005
• Subjects: adherens junctions; Adherens Junctions - chemistry; Adherens Junctions - metabolism; Antigens, CD; Cadherins; Cell Adhesion Molecules - chemistry; Cell Adhesion Molecules - metabolism; cryo-electron microscopy; Cryoelectron Microscopy; Endothelium, Vascular - metabolism; Endothelium, Vascular - ultrastructure; Humans; Liposomes; two-dimensional self-assembly; liposomes; VE-EC 1–4; VE-cadherin; EM; two-dimensional self-assembly; cadherins; adherens junctions; EC; Ni-NTA; cryo-electron microscopy
• ISSN: 0022-2836; 1089-8638
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2004.12.053

Artificial adherens junctions were reconstituted in vitro by assembly of cadherin fragments at the surfaces of liposomes. The architecture of the adherens junctions was revealed by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The formation of these artificial adherens junctions was shown to result from the two-dimensional (2D) self-assembly of cadherin fragments at membrane surfaces. The molecular architecture of the junctions was resolved by combining information from several cryo-EM views. This study concludes to the 2D ordered nature of the cadherin assembly and shows that the minimal information required to build up an adherens junction is contained within the extracellular moiety of cadherin molecules.