EpCAM homo-oligomerization is not the basis for its role in cell-cell adhesion

Gaber, Aljaž (author), Kim, Seung Joong (author), Kaake, Robyn M. (author), Benčina, Mojca (author), Krogan, Nevan J. (author), Šali, Andrej (author), Pavšič, Miha (author), Lenarčič, Brigita (author)

Cell-surface tumor marker EpCAM plays a key role in proliferation, diferentiation and adhesion processes in stem and epithelial cells. It is established as a cell-cell adhesion molecule, forming intercellular interactions through homophilic association. However, the mechanism by which such interactions arise has not yet been fully elucidated. Here, we frst show that EpCAM monomers do not associate into oligomers that would resemble an inter-cellular homo-oligomer, capable of mediating cell-cell adhesion, by using SAXS, XL-MS and bead aggregation assays. Second, we also show that EpCAM forms stable dimers on the surface of a cell with pre-formed cell-cell contacts using FLIM-FRET; however, no inter-cellular homo-oligomers were detectable. Thus, our study provides clear evidence that EpCAM indeed does not function as a homophilic cell adhesion molecule and therefore calls for a signifcantrevision of its role in both normal and cancerous tissues. In the light of this, we strongly support the previously suggested name Epithelial Cell Activating Molecule instead of the Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule.

• Language: English
• Keywords: epithelial cell adhesion molecule, cell adhesion, oligomerization
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FKKT - Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2018
• Number of pages: 16 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 8, art. 13269
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-125372
• UDC: 577.112.85
• ISSN on article: 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31482-7
• COBISS.SI-ID: 1537878979
• Publication date in RUL: 12.03.2021

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Scientific reports
• Shortened title: Sci. rep.
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• ISSN: 2045-2322
• COBISS.SI-ID: 18727432

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.
• Licensing start date: 12.03.2021

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: epitelijska celična adhezijska molekula, celična adhezija, oligomerizacija