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Cell binding to extracellular matrix (ECM) components changes cytoskeletal organization by the activation of Rho family GTPases. Tenascin-C, a developmentally regulated matrix protein, modulates cellular responses to other matrix proteins, such as fibronectin (FN). Here, we report that tenascin-C markedly altered cell phenotype on a three-dimensional fibrin matrix containing FN, resulting in suppression of actin stress fibers and induction of actin-rich filopodia. This distinct morphology was associated with complete suppression of the activation of RhoA, a small GTPase that induces actin stress fiber formation. Enforced activation of RhoA circumvented the effects of tenascin. Effects of active Rho were reversed by a Rho inhibitor C3 transferase. Suppression of GTPase activation allows tenascin-C expression to act as a regulatory switch to reverse the effects of adhesive proteins on Rho function. This represents a novel paradigm for the regulation of cytoskeletal organization by ECM.

Original publication

DOI

10.1083/jcb.150.4.913

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Cell Biol

Publication Date

21/08/2000

Volume

150

Pages

913 - 920

Keywords

3T3 Cells, Actins, Animals, Cell Adhesion, Cytoskeleton, Extracellular Matrix Proteins, Fibrin, Fibroblasts, Fibronectins, GTP Phosphohydrolases, Mice, Rats, Recombinant Proteins, Substrate Specificity, Tenascin, cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein, rho GTP-Binding Proteins