Members of the immunoglobulin superfamily often play key roles in intercellular adhesion. IGSF4 is a novel immunoglobulin (Ig)-like intercellular adhesion molecule. Three Ig-like domains are included in the extracellular domain of IGSF4 and mediate homophilic or heterophilic interactions independently of Ca2+. The cytoplasmic domain of IGSF4 contains the binding motifs that connect to actin fib...

Cellular aggregates may be considered as collections of membrane enclosed units with a pressure difference between the internal and external liquid phases. Cells are kept together by membrane adhesion and/or confined space compression. Pattern formation and, in particular, intercellular spacing have important roles in controlling solvent diffusion within such aggregates. A physical approach is ...

Understanding allostery may serve to both elucidate mechanisms of protein regulation and provide a basis for engineering active mutants. Herein we describe directed evolution applied to the integrin alpha(L) inserted domain for studying allostery by using a yeast surface display system. Many hot spots for activation are identified, and some single mutants exhibit remarkable increases of 10,000-...

Transport of germ cells across the seminiferous epithelium is crucial to spermatogenesis. Its disruption causes infertility. Signaling molecules, such as focal adhesion kinase, c-Yes, c-Src, and intercellular adhesion molecules 1 and 2, are involved in these events by regulating actin-based cytoskeleton via their action on actin-regulating proteins, endocytic vesicle-mediated protein traffickin...