Interaction of integrin αvβ3 with nectin -: Implication in cross-talk between cell-matrix and cell-cell junctions

Cell-matrix and cell-cell junctions cross-talk together, and these two junctions cooperatively regulate cell movement, proliferation, adhesion, and polarization. However, the mechanism of this cross-talk remains unknown. An immunoglobulin-like cell-cell adhesion molecule nectin first trans-interacts with each other to form cell-cell adhesion and induces activation of Rap1, Cdc42, and Rac small G proteins through c-Src. Trans-interacting nectin then recruits another cell-cell adhesion molecule cadherin to the nectin-based cell-cell adhesion sites and forms adherens junctions (AJs). Here, we show that integrin alpha(v)beta(3) functionally and physically associates with nectin. Integrin alpha(v)beta(3) colocalized with nectin at the nectin-based cell-cell adhesion sites. The association of integrin alpha(v)beta(3) with nectin was direct and was mediated through their extracellular regions. This interaction was necessary for the nectin-induced signaling. Focal adhesion kinase, which relays the integrin-initiated outside-in signals to the intracellular signaling molecules, was also involved in the nectin-induced signaling. During the formation of AJs, the high affinity form of integrin alpha(v)beta(3) co-localized with nectin at the primordial cell-cell contact sites, and then after the establishment of AJs, this high affinity form of integrin alpha(v)beta(3) was converted to the low affinity form, which continued to co-localize with nectin. Thus, integrin alpha(v)beta(3) and nectin play pivotal roles in the cross-talk between cell-matrix and cell-cell junctions and the formation of cadherin-based AJs.