HETEROPHILIC NCAM-MEDIATED CELL-ADHESION TO PROTEOGLYCANS FROM CHICK EMBRYONIC BRAIN MEMBRANES

The vertebrate neural cell adhesion molecule NCAM mediates adhesion by both hemophilic and heterophilic mechanisms, with heparan sulfate pro teoglycans (HSPGs) being likely heterophilic ligands, In this study, t ransfected chicken NCAM polypeptides expressed on mouse L cells mediat ed the adhesion of these cells to several different heparan sulfate pr oteoglycans in nonionic detergent extracts of Embryonic Day 10 chicken brain membranes, In addition, adhesion inhibition experiments suggest ed a hitherto-undetected role for chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in the stimulation of NCAM-mediated adhesion to some, but not all, of th e HSPG ligands. Our experiments support the view that NCAM is a multiv alent adhesive molecule whose function is affected by interactions wit h extracellular matrix and cell surface molecules. (C) 1996 Academic P ress, Inc.