ROLE OF CLUSTERIN IN CELL-ADHESION DURING EARLY PHASES OF PROGRAMMED CELL-DEATH IN P19 EMBRYONIC CARCINOMA-CELLS

This study explored the role of clusterin in mechanisms of cell adhesi on and apoptosis in P19 embryonic carcinoma cells. We found that serum deprivation induced transient but dramatic elevation in cell adhesion strength to the culture substrate and eventually led to apoptotic cel l death. The time course of cell-adhesion increase overlapped temporal ly with the elevation of clusterin mRNA (peak 8 h after serum deprivat ion). The coincidental elevation of clusterin expression and cell adhe sion strength preceded the schedule of apoptotic cell death. Clusterin antiserum partially antagonized cell adhesion, but did not modify the course of apoptosis. These data suggest that clusterin expression may partially control cell adhesion with no influence on apoptosis in P19 cells, under defined conditions.